Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Fertilizer Calculator - by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

This spreadsheet is best suited for gardens, lawns and small field plots. It computes the amount of fertilizer needed based on the nutrient ratio of the
fertilizer (the numbers displayed on the fertilizer label, sometimes called the "N-P-K ratio"), then calculates the pounds of nitrogen (N), phosphate
(P205), and potash (K20) necessary for a given area, as recommended by a current soil test report.
Input Data
Step 1. Type in a name that best identifies the
garden, lawn or field:
Step 2. Select (by clicking to highlight) the units
this garden, lawn or field is measured by:

Square Feet
Acres

Step 3. Enter the measurements for this garden,

lawn or field:

length x width =

feet by

feet

Step 4. Select (by clicking to highlight) the units that

will be used when applying fertilizer to this
garden, lawn or field:

Refer to Soil Test Report

Step 5. Select (by clicking to highlight) the units used
on the soil test report when recommending
nutrients to apply to this garden, lawn or field:
Step 6. Enter recommended nutrients to apply as
reported on the soil test report:

Pounds per 100 sq ft

Pounds per 1000 sq ft
Pounds per Acre

Nutrient Needed
Nitrogen:
Phosphate:
Potash:
Sulfur - if requested:

Pounds per Acre

N
P205
K20
S

View Calculated Results

Select a fertilizer in the left column (below), then read across to the shaded column to view the recommended application rate. This spreadsheet
balances nutrients based upon the nutrient in greatest need. If a fertilizer provides excessive nutrients as shown under the "Nutrient Surpluses"
columns, consider trying a different product, select the combination options (row 86) or experiment with a "Personalized Blend" (row 100).
Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Select a fertilizer in the left column (below), then read across to the shaded column to view the recommended application rate. This spreadsheet
balances nutrients based upon the nutrient in greatest need. If a fertilizer provides excessive nutrients as shown under the "Nutrient Surpluses"
columns, consider trying a different product, select the combination options (row 86) or experiment with a "Personalized Blend" (row 100).

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

last revised:

Common Fertilizer
Options to Consider
Triple Ten
Triple Seventeen
Potash
Starter fertilizer 1
Starter fertilizer 2
Urea
Ammonium Sulfate
Turf Builder w/o Phos.
Potassium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate

11/12/2016

% Plant Food Analysis

Nutrient Deficits

N
10
17
0
9
10
46
21

- P2O5 - K2O - 10 - 10
- 17 - 17
0
- 60
- 23 - 30
- 12 - 30
0
0
0
0
-

24

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

26
0
0

18
14

0.0
0.0
0.0

0.04
0.04
0.08
0.10
0.07
0.08

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0
0
0

Solid Manure Choices

Dairy Manure
Beef Manure
Swine Manure
Chicken Manure
Horse Manure
Sheep Manure

0.15
0.18
0.35
1.00
0.13
0.33

Other 1
Other 2
Other 3

0.00 - 0.00
0.00 - 0.00
0.00 - 0.00

- 0.15
- 0.27
- 0.30
- 1.50
- 0.18
- 0.54

7
50
0

0.36
0.44
0.36
1.20
0.40
1.60

- 0.00
- 0.00
- 0.00

Two examples of applying two products, one

supplying N, the other supplying K20:
Urea
46 0
0
and Potash
0
0
- 60
Ammonium Sulfate
21 0
0
and Potash
0
0
- 60

Pounds
Fertilizer Applied to:
0
Square Feet

- 0.00
- 0.00
- 0.00

24

Pounds
P2O5
K2O

Nutrient Surpluses
S

Pounds
P2O5

0.0
0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Personal Blend of: (details below)
0
0
0

0.00 0.00 0.00 -

0.00 0.00 0.00 -

0.00 0.00 0.00 -

0.00
0.00
0.00

0.0
0.0
0.0

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Personalized Blend (Optional)

These optional steps allow for a personalized blend of nutrients. In particular, it allows for a "fixed" application rate of a nutrient; then additional
nutrients are applied to balance the soil needs. A typical example might be to apply a "fixed" rate of dairy manure and then apply commercial nutirents
like urea and potash to supply what was lacking from the dairy manure.

Optional step 1a.

From drop down menu, select the first nutrient:

P2O4
0

Optional step 1b.

Select the units the first nutrient will be applied at:

K2O
0

S
0

Pounds per sq ft
Pounds per 100 sq ft
Pounds per 1000 sq ft
Tons per Acre

Optional step 1c.

Enter the amount of:
(Note: if the input box for step 1c is left blank,
nutrient needs will be balanced using the second
and third nutrients.)

Pounds per sq ft
0

to be applied:

Optional step 2.
From drop down menu, select the second nutrient:
(Note: second nutrient is only used to supply what
the first nutrient does not.)

Optional step 3.
From drop down menu, select the third nutrient:
(Note: third nutrient is only used to supply what the
first and second nutrients do not.)

P2O4
0

K2O
0

P2O4
0

S
0

K2O
0

S
0

View Calculated Results Above (row 93)

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

ent ratio of the

phosphate

readsheet
Surpluses"
0).

Square Feet =
Acres sq ft =

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Gallons -Estimated

nt Surpluses

Pounds
K2O

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

10

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

additional
mercial nutirents

#
O. Step 1b. Units
Pounds per sq ft
Pounds per 100 sq ft
Pounds per 1000 sq ft
Tons per Acre
Adjusted to lbs/sq ft:
then adjusted

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

11

Fertilizer Calculator by Craig Saxe and Justin Eckelberg, UW-Extension

Download at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/

12

Fertilizer Calculator Notes

1. While the information generated from this spreadsheet is believed to be accurate, any actions taken based
upon the results are the sole responsibility of the user.
2. These calculations are only meant to assist you in determining the appropriate amount of fertilizer that may
be applied. The results are only as accurate as the data entered and are not designed or intended to serve as a
replacement for other standard University recommended practices. For example, in a large scale operation, this
spreadsheet should in no way be considered a substitute for a nutrient management plan or a replacement for
software programs like SNAP-Plus. For more information about SNAP-Plus go to: http://www.snapplus.net/
3.This fertilizer calculator spreadsheet was created to help reduce the amount of unnecessary nutrients applied
to lawns and gardens. Depending on the particular site, you may only need nitrogen or you may only need
phosphorus or potassium. It all depends on the soil and what is being grown. In lawn and garden situations, it
is often easy to over-apply fertilizers and other nutrients. Some would argue that the environmental impact
would be minor when over-applying to a small area. However, excessive nutrients applied, especially nitrogen
applied to sandy soils can be a contributing factor to nitrate contamination in local water resources. Since, it
really does not make sense to load up a lawn or garden with unnecessary nutrients; this spreadsheet was
designed to help manage nutrient applications.
4.In small garden situations, sometimes excessive nutrients applied is a necessary trade-off to storing bags of
unused and unwanted fertilizer. On the other hand, the larger a garden area, the more likely a customized
application will minimize or eliminate excessive nutrient applications and save money. A good example would be
buying a bag of urea to supply nitrogen needs and a bag of potash to supply potassium needs.
5.Some smaller units of measurement were estimated by converting weight to volume, based upon conversion
recommendations given in UW-Extension publication A2304 Garden Fertilization. The recommended
application rate will be blank if an acceptable conversion factor is not known.
6.Enter data in the input sections only. Other areas of the spreadsheet are protected and do not allow for user
inputs. The one exception is the listing of common fertilizers. These fertilizer options and their percent plant
food analysis can be altered.
7.The solid manure nutrient values are Wisconsin book values. Nutrient values will vary based upon several
factors; the most notable is dry matter percentage. These Wisconsin book values are based upon average dry
matter percentages of: Dairy-24%, Beef-35%, Swine-20%, Chicken-60%, Horse-45% and Sheep-45%. If better
data is available, numbers should be adjusted accordingly.
8.This spreadsheet can be downloaded at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/cwas/ . For more detailed information on soils
and fertility go to: http://uwlab.soils.wisc.edu/ or to: http://www.soils.wisc.edu/soils/
9.A special thanks to those that helped in the review process, in particular: UW-Extension Soil Specialists;
Carrie Laboski, John Peters and Dick Wolkowski and the Central Wisconsin Agricultural Specialization Agents.
10.Please share comments or suggestions to: Craig Saxe, Juneau County UW-Extension, 211 Hickory Street,
Rm. 302, Mauston WI 53948, 608-847-9329, craig.saxe@ces.uwex.edu