Help with reading test results - Ask Extension
Can you recommend what fertilizer I should use?
Do I need to adjust the PH on the lawn?
Thank you
Garry
Knowledgebase
Help with reading test results #934355
Asked June 05, 2026, 2:55 PM EDT
Can you recommend what fertilizer I should use?
Do I need to adjust the PH on the lawn?
Thank you
Garry
Mower County Minnesota
Expert Response
There are dozens of lawn fertilizers available, so I can't tell you which to buy. But I'll pass on some general information.
First, spread your fertilizer over two to four applications: one now and one in late summer:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lawn-care-calendar
Second, your soil's pH is neutral. You do not need to modify its pH.
Third, don't expect to find a fertilizer with the ratio that the soil test lab recommends. Spread the nitrogen (first number) over the two to four applications. But the P and K can be applied all at once (or in separate applications).
Fourth, most Minnesota soils are high in phosphorus (the second number), so you might have a hard time finding a fertilizer with a significant middle number. Look for a "lawn starter" fertilizer. You might have to mix and match to get an appropriate product.
Finally, you will have to tailor the quantities you use to your lawn. The recommendations on the test are for 1000 square feet. If your lawn is 7000 square feet, multiply by 7.
As an example, Scotts makes a "starter" that is 24-25-4. Normal Scotts turfbuilder is 32-0-4. If you mix 4 pounds of the "starter" with 8 pounds of the "turfbuilder", you get 3.5 pounds of N (24% of 4 plus 32% of 8). You also get 1 pound of P (25% of 4). Unfortunately, you are still missing some K (4% of 4 plus 4% of 8 is about 1/2 pound of K and you need 1 pound). But you can easily make that up with a high K fertilizer like muriate of potash (0-0-60).
You also don't have to physically mix the bags of fertilizer. Use one, then the other. Just remember that you should never put on more than one pound of N in any application (note the "caution" in the soil test report).
First, spread your fertilizer over two to four applications: one now and one in late summer:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lawn-care-calendar
Second, your soil's pH is neutral. You do not need to modify its pH.
Third, don't expect to find a fertilizer with the ratio that the soil test lab recommends. Spread the nitrogen (first number) over the two to four applications. But the P and K can be applied all at once (or in separate applications).
Fourth, most Minnesota soils are high in phosphorus (the second number), so you might have a hard time finding a fertilizer with a significant middle number. Look for a "lawn starter" fertilizer. You might have to mix and match to get an appropriate product.
Finally, you will have to tailor the quantities you use to your lawn. The recommendations on the test are for 1000 square feet. If your lawn is 7000 square feet, multiply by 7.
As an example, Scotts makes a "starter" that is 24-25-4. Normal Scotts turfbuilder is 32-0-4. If you mix 4 pounds of the "starter" with 8 pounds of the "turfbuilder", you get 3.5 pounds of N (24% of 4 plus 32% of 8). You also get 1 pound of P (25% of 4). Unfortunately, you are still missing some K (4% of 4 plus 4% of 8 is about 1/2 pound of K and you need 1 pound). But you can easily make that up with a high K fertilizer like muriate of potash (0-0-60).
You also don't have to physically mix the bags of fertilizer. Use one, then the other. Just remember that you should never put on more than one pound of N in any application (note the "caution" in the soil test report).
