How Much is Too Much?

Last summer, in a post called "Healthy Soil", we talked about testing your soil to determine the right amount of fertilizers and nutrients needed.  Why is this important?  Runoff of excess nutrients is not good for our waterways, and besides why buy and apply more fertilizer than you really need?

Recently, we ordered a series of soil tests from the University of Delaware.  This service charges a fee for each sample that you send in, but allows you to get up to three recommendations per sample based on what you think you want to grow.  The results show what nutrients your soil is either high or low in, the pH, and a suggested fertilizer program.

We submitted samples from our lawn, our garden, and our flower beds-- all of which we have previously treated differently with different nutrients based on what we thought each needed.  Our reports for the garden came back with "EXCESSIVE" levels of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium.  I guess that compost is working a little too well.  In the future, we will dial back the amount of nutrients that we add to those areas so that the excess is not part of the runoff into the Bay.  The recommendation that was given was to add Nitrogen, which is required each  year for plant growth.  In the flower beds we were a bit low on Potassium, so the recommendation was to add a certain amount of potash.  

All together results take about 10-15 business days to get back once you have submitted your samples.  There are instructions on the website as to how to take the samples, and they will even send you containers for sending the soil.  Check it out at the website below.  Stop wasting your money on the things you don't need, and protect our watershed at the same time.

University of Delaware Soil Testing Program