Best approach to improve phosphorus level of soil - Ask Extension
I work with a group of volunteers working with our town to maintain a public native meadow in University Park (1/3 acre). We conducted soil samples l...
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Best approach to improve phosphorus level of soil #923576
Asked January 13, 2026, 12:05 PM EST
I work with a group of volunteers working with our town to maintain a public native meadow in University Park (1/3 acre). We conducted soil samples last fall to determine if there was any action we needed to take to improve the soil of the meadow to support the native plants grown within the meadow. The soil test report is attached and shows we are low in phosphorus and recommended plowing superphosphate into the soil This is not an action we want to take as it would be disruptive for the established natives. We do plan on adding compost this spring. Would that be sufficient to boost our phosphorus levels? Do you have any other recommendations to enhance our soil to support the natives based on the soil test results?
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
The organic matter is showing quite high. How are the native plants growing? Did you take a soil test due to an issue? If everything is growing well, our meadow native plant expert doesn't recommend adding compost or phosphorus.
Native meadow plants typically don't like highly fertile soil. If the soil becomes too fertile, the plants may start to grow too quickly, causing them to flop or struggle with growth otherwise.
If there is a growth issue, then she said the compost should be sufficient.
Emily
Thank you for the timely response to our inquiry. We took the soil test to inform our approaches to maintain the vitality of the meadow. It was shared with me that this area used to be a parking lot and there was concern that the soil may need augmentation. Based on the soil test results and your information, it appears we have soil that supports the native plants in the meadow. There are some areas that are a bit sparser and we can focus on compost in those areas. The six+ years the town has invested in adding compost to the meadow, has paid off.
Thanks,
Deborah
You're welcome!
