Knowledgebase

What are you recommending? (Soil test) #875231

Asked June 29, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT

Again, I get my new soil test report, LOVE the write up and detail in general, but WHY do you keep telling us to apply fertilizer that doesn't even exist in state of Michigan? 22-0-22, 11-0-11, and 3-0-3 ??? Where do we buy this stuff?? No one in West Michigan seems to know where to buy this stuff? I even posed this question when I sent my sample in to your lab. Can you help me convert 22-0-22 to two separate applications of UREA (available everywhere!), but is 46-0-0, would that simply mean use just slightly less than half the pounds per 1000 sq/ft? Apply this, then do second application of Calcium Chloride which is 0-0-60, and only do about 1/3 as much as your report would indicate? Am I semi-correct in these rough assumptions? AND - why in the world is our Phosphorous so darn HIGH here? What would cause this? This land was a simple hayfield 30+ years ago, then grew up into brush - we removed the low brush and planted a garden - NO CHEMICALS used. We get largely exact same test results for past 3 years, and Phosphorous is always so high, yet we have never added anything. (Think we added one simple bag of 12-12-12 like 6 or 8 years ago.)

Allegan County Michigan

Expert Response

Very sorry, I have now located the "Fertilizer Calculator" link within your report.  Cannot begin to explain why I did not see this before.  But it does sort of hide there, well, it doesn't jump out.  We are on it now, thank you so much!  Doug Johnston

The Question Asker Replied June 29, 2024, 1:48 PM EDT

Right you are! The problem we've run into is that available fertilizers change fairly frequently, and we don't have the time to redo all of the numbers in our computer systems. Separating into urea and potassium (NOT calcium) chloride is the right approach, and I'm glad you found the calculator!

Many Michigan soils are naturally high in phosphorus. The numbers on your report are in line with what we commonly see.

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension! Replied July 01, 2024, 9:59 AM EDT
You guys are AWESOME - as usual.
Thank you so very much!!!
And yes, Potassium - NOT calcium.... double checked my bag.
Have a great fourth.
Doug




On Monday, July 1, 2024 at 09:59:51 AM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 12:34 PM EDT

Happy to help! Take care.

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension! Replied July 01, 2024, 2:12 PM EDT

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