Agronomic Services

Crop Fertilization Based on North Carolina Soil Tests

Table 2.3 Information required to calculate lime and fertilizer rates

Lawn and Garden

Crop

Target
pH *

N §

P₂O₅
†

K₂O
†

Cu
‡

Zn
‡

B
¶

Mn
¥

See
Note

Azalea

5.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Berries/ Fruit/ Nuts

6.0

- - - Refer to Note 18 and Special Printout A - - -

Camellia

5.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Centipede grass

5.5

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout B - - -

Flower garden

6.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Lawn

6.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Mountain laurel

5.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Rhododendron

5.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Rose

6.5

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Shrubbery

6.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Trees, shade

6.0

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

Vegetable garden

6.5

- - - Refer to Note 4 and Special Printout A - - -

* This target pH applies to mineral soils only.

§ For nitrogen, units are lb/acre, unless a § symbol follows the number, in which case units are lb/1000 ft².

† These numbers refer to the equations that should be used to calculate amounts of
P2O5 and K2O needed. If the crop is growing in organic soil, use the equation number in parentheses. Equations are given in Table 2.4.

‡ For copper and zinc, “R” stands for “rate” in lb/acre. For copper, the rates are 2 lb/acre for mineral soils, 4 for mineral-organic, and 6 for organic soils. For zinc, the rates are 6 lb/acre, if broadcast, and 3 lb/acre if banded. The “$” indicates that the need for copper or zinc is less certain and refers you to the $ Note: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients.

¶ For boron, rates are given in lb/acre.

¥ For manganese, “A” and “B” refer to the equations for calculating the manganese availability index:

Equation A. Mn-AI = 101.2 + 0.6 × Mn-I – 15.2 × pH.
Equation B. Mn-AI = 108.2 + 0.6 × Mn-I – 15.2 × pH.

“R” refers to the “rate” of 10 lb/acre; “$” refers to the $ Note: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients.

Hardy DH, Tucker MR, Stokes CE. 2014. Crop fertilization based on North Carolina soil tests. Raleigh (NC): North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agronomic Division. Circular No. 1.

Last Update January 10, 2014