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Soil Test Results Bar Graph #829222

Asked May 09, 2023, 3:28 PM EDT

Please see attached bar graph. Does this mean my P, K, and Mg are all Above Optimum?

Allegan County Michigan

Expert Response

David - your nutrients are for sure all above optimum and the ability of your soil to hold cations (potassium, Calcium and magnesium) is the main factor in this.  On the soil test site, you can click on the CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) and see this description.  

Your soil looks very healthy which is why the only fertilizer recommendation is to add Nitrogen (which is not measured in the soil test because it is highly mobile in the soil and in plants).  

When you purchase a Nitrogen fertilizer, you can go back to the soil test site and use the Fertilizer Calculator (found under Tools) to determine how much of that product to apply.  Remember to pro-rate the amount based upon the sq. footage that you have compared to the results.  And, apply Nitrogen until flower development and then back off so the plants put the energy into flower development.

Good job starting with a soil test.  Hope that helps.

Diane - MSU Advanced Extension Master Gardener Replied May 10, 2023, 5:59 PM EDT
Thank you!  Very helpful!

- Dave

On May 10, 2023, at 5:59 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 10, 2023, 6:45 PM EDT

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