Can my gardens be saved! - Ask Extension
I've attached my recent soil test results and there appear to be some issues that are concerning. I would like help picking out the correct fertilize...
Knowledgebase
Can my gardens be saved! #928740
Asked April 17, 2026, 3:19 PM EDT
I've attached my recent soil test results and there appear to be some issues that are concerning. I would like help picking out the correct fertilizers for my corn patch and my raised garden beds. Please and Thank you :)
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Please note that there is a fertilizer calculator link at the bottom of the last page of your report.
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/other-resources
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/importance-soil-ph
Your soil is slightly alkaline which is a problem only if you are growing specific plants. Your report mentions azlaeas and blueberries. I grow philodendrons which are in the same family as azaleas, in the same soil as the rest of my plants and they are fine.
Most Minnesota soil is high in phosphous. Look for fertilizer which has a zero for the middle number. Your potassium is also high, so fertilizer meant for lawns or a small amount of N, the first figure and zeros for the middle and last figures would work well. Look for something close to these figures. It is unlikely you would find fertilizer with the exact figures. See this web page for growing corn.
https://extension.umn.edu/crop-specific-needs/fertilizing-corn-minnesota#standard-n-guidelines-2237060
General information on raised beds
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/raised-bed-gardens
Raised bed fertilizing
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/raised-bed-gardening
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/other-resources
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/importance-soil-ph
Your soil is slightly alkaline which is a problem only if you are growing specific plants. Your report mentions azlaeas and blueberries. I grow philodendrons which are in the same family as azaleas, in the same soil as the rest of my plants and they are fine.
Most Minnesota soil is high in phosphous. Look for fertilizer which has a zero for the middle number. Your potassium is also high, so fertilizer meant for lawns or a small amount of N, the first figure and zeros for the middle and last figures would work well. Look for something close to these figures. It is unlikely you would find fertilizer with the exact figures. See this web page for growing corn.
https://extension.umn.edu/crop-specific-needs/fertilizing-corn-minnesota#standard-n-guidelines-2237060
General information on raised beds
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/raised-bed-gardens
Raised bed fertilizing
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/raised-bed-gardening
