Maine · Soil test

Maine soil-test fertilizer recommendations

Zone Forge reads your Maine soil test in Maine's own calibrated language — the critical levels and rate logic come straight from University of Maine Soil Testing Handbook — Modified Morgan + Mehlich Buffer (3rd Revised Edition 2026), not a national average. Lime has its own live calculator for Maine with method-specific lab inputs.

See Maine recommendations → Maine lime guide

Crops covered

University of Maine Soil Testing Handbook — Modified Morgan + Mehlich Buffer (3rd Revised Edition 2026) rates these crops in Maine:

AlfalfaAll vines (cucumber, gourd, melons, pumpkin, squash)Apples (new plantings only)Asparagus (established bed)Asparagus (new bed)BarleyBeetBrassica forageBroccoli (direct seeded and banded)Broccoli, cauliflower (transplants only)BuckwheatCabbageCanolaCarrotsCauliflower (direct seeded and banded)Chile peppersChristmas treesCloverCornCorn silageDry beansGeneral forestryGrass / forageGrass hayLettuceLupinMilletOatsOnionsPasturePeasPotatoesRadishRaspberry (established bed)Raspberry (new bed)Roadside stand mixRutabaga, turnipRyeSpinachStone FruitStrawberry (established bed)Strawberry (new bed)Sweet cornWheat

More crops via alternate guides selectable in Maine: New England Vegetable Management Guide 2025-2026.

Published source: University of Maine Soil Testing Handbook — Modified Morgan + Mehlich Buffer (3rd Revised Edition 2026)

Frequently asked

What soil-test method does Maine use?

University of Maine Soil Testing Handbook — Modified Morgan + Mehlich Buffer (3rd Revised Edition 2026). Zone Forge cites the publication on every recommendation.

Is the Maine soil-test calculator free?

Yes — the Maine soil-test recommendation calculator is free and needs no signup. Enter your lab values for source-cited P and K; Maine's live lime calculator is available separately with its own required lab inputs.

Can Zone Forge calculate a Maine lime rate?

Yes — the free soil-test calculator covers source-cited P and K. Maine also has a live lime calculator on Zone Forge that uses the state's published method. Open the Maine lime guide or lime calculator for tons of CaCO3-equivalent per acre.

Zone Forge reads every Maine soil test in its own state's language, then builds source-cited fertilizer and a live lime calculator and full variable-rate prescriptions. See the science →