Phosphorus levels too high?

16 years ago

Looking for some advice on phosphorus and fertilizers. I just had a soil test done (through Scotts) and found out that my soil's phosphorus levels are too high. According to the report, my phosphorus value is 155 ppm, whereas the optimum value for a vegetable garden is 20 ppm - 40 ppm.

In doing some internet research, I've read that tomatoes prefer a high level of phosphorus. Is the value that Scotts is reporting accurate? What is the best way to reduce the phosphorus level in my soil (if I need to at all)? I only grow a few tomato plants and green pepper plants each summer in a small backyard garden.

What I find interesting is that Scotts' recommendation for my situation is to "apply Miracle Gro Liquid Feed All Purpose or Miracle Gro Water Soluable All Purpose Plant food." Well, that's about all I've done for the past two seasons and what has gotten me into this situation. I assume I need a fertilizer with low or no phosphorus content, right?

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Comments (2)

tdscpa
16 years ago
My soil tester (KS St. Univ.) classifies 0-25 as low, 25-100 as medium, and anything over 100 as high. Mine was 162.

Potassium, anything over 250 is high. Mine was 731.

Since my garden has a (my) lifetime supply of both, the only fertilizer I use is Urea (46-0-0).

I suppose Scotts' provides the tests at no charge? You might be ahead to try an independent soil tester.
wcthomas
16 years ago
I wouldn't worry about it. My phosphorus was tested by Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory using Mehlich 3 Extraction, and is expressed in lbs/acre instead of ppms. On this scale, a phosphorus level over 137 is considered "Very High", and my soil tests 324. Likewise for Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium where my values/Very High points are 396/277, 407/295, and 2818/1790 respectively. I've tested the soil three years in a row and get about the same results each time. Therefore I fertilize only with nitrogen each year.

As for results, my tomatoes, garlic, onions, and peppers are just beautiful and productive, in spite of getting only 4-5 hours of sun each day.

TomNJ
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