Gardening Series: Dig in the Dirt! Soil Preparation: Reading Soil Test Results

By Robin Sweetser

October 16, 2024

Source: Almanac

Photo Source: Unsplash,

• 4:06

Reading Soil Test Results

When you get your test results, the fertilizer recommendations will be specific and speak to three elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen: N stands for nitrogen, which helps plants make leafy growth. For nitrogen, they will tell you how much manure or compost to use. If you are using fresh manure, spread it on in the fall so it can break down over the winter and be safe for spring planting. If you prefer, dried blood, alfalfa, soybean, or cottonseed meals can be substituted. Nitrogen is released quickly from them, so it is best to wait until spring to add these to your soil. Ten pounds of blood meal supplies the same amount of nitrogen as 10-20 bushels of manure but without the added benefit of all the organic matter that manure contains.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus: P stands for phosphorus, necessary for germination, strong root growth, flowers, and fruit. It helps plants absorb minerals, grow strong stems, and withstand disease. Rock phosphate provides phosphorus, magnesium, and trace minerals. Rock powders are wonderful soil enhancements. They are slow-acting but long-lasting, so they need to be applied only every 3 to 4 years. Bone meal and bone char are more readily available sources of phosphorus.

Potassium

Potassium: K stands for potassium or potash. It regulates water flow in plant cells and is necessary for flowering, fruiting, and disease resistance. A lack of potassium will cause plants to have weak stems and stunted growth. For added potassium, you can use granite dust or greensand, which is made from glauconite, an ocean mineral high in potassium and iron. Wood ashes are also high in potash.

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