Managing Excess Phosphorus in a Rocky Tomato Field

Off-the-charts phosphorus with low nitrogen and potassium suggests years of balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) without soil testing.

Corrective Actions

Use low-P or zero-P fertilizer (e.g., 20-0-10, blood meal, potassium sulfate).
Retest pH after peat moss addition; target 6.5. Add sulfur or iron sulfate if still >7.0.
Annual soil tests to customize fertility.

Sandstone rocks may contribute some P, but fertilizer history is the likelier cause. Sifted soil reduces rock content.

Customized fertility based on testing will improve yields over time.

Soil Issues: Managing Manganese Deficiency in High-pH Soils: Chelates vs. pH Adjustment; Rehabilitating Contaminated Urban Soil for Edible Gardening; Lawn Care on Rocky, Shale-Derived Soil in North Carolina; Managing High Soil Salinity and Using Sawdust as a Soil Amendment; Rehabilitating a Garden After Tree Removal; Landscaping a Rocky, Sloping Yard in North Carolina: Soil Over Rocks or Embrace the Gravel?; Fixing Poor Grading and Water Pooling in New Lawn; Soil Critters in Orange Tree: Identification and Removal; Why Your Hydrangea Isn't Blooming: Pruning Mistakes and Fertilizer Fixes; Office Hydrangea Care: Water, Light, and Annual Soil Refresh

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