Knowledgebase
Garden advise please #930313
Asked May 01, 2026, 3:24 PM EDT
Sherburne County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for your question for Extension Master Gardeners. I'm glad you had a soil test because it's valuable to have before the growing season starts. Since it said you need 2-0-3 fertilizer, that exact ratio (found on the label) may not be available, but try to find a close match. The zero is your phosphorus, and too much phosphorus can be harmful to your plants. There are options of organic and non-organic fertilizers to choose from, so go to a garden center where someone with knowledge can help you out. The link below goes into more depth on this. Potatoes and tomatoes do require more fertilizer since they pull those nutrients out of the soil faster. Be sure to read the label for how often and how much to apply.
Quick guide to fertilizing plants | UMN Extension
For planting seeds, it's essential to read the seed package to determine when to plant and how long for harvesting. You can plant some of the cool weather crops now, including leafy greens, root vegetables and brassica. It's too early to plant tomato seedlings as they are tender and our weather has been cooler. Do not worry about plant rotation this year unless you had tomato plants that had diseases.
Good luck and happy gardening!