Maryland · Soil test

Maryland soil-test fertilizer recommendations

Zone Forge reads your Maryland soil test in Maryland's own calibrated language — the critical levels and rate logic come straight from University of Maryland — Texture × Province lime (SFM-5) + Maryland Nutrient Management Manual FIV-based N/P/K (combined source), not a national average. Lime has its own live calculator for Maryland with method-specific lab inputs.

Crops covered

University of Maryland — Texture × Province lime (SFM-5) + Maryland Nutrient Management Manual FIV-based N/P/K (combined source) rates these crops in Maryland:

AlfalfaBluegrassBuckwheatCanolaCloverCornCorn silageCottonEastern Gamagrass and Improved Bermudagrasses (maintenance, 5 tons/A)FescueGrass / forageMilletOatsOrchardgrass And Reed Canary Grass (maintenance, 4 tons/A)PastureSmall grainsSorghumSoybeansSunflowerTimothy, Smooth Bromegrass, Perennial Ryegrass (maintenance, 3 tons/A)TobaccoWheat

More crops via alternate guides selectable in Maryland: Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations 2026/2027.

Published source: University of Maryland — Texture × Province lime (SFM-5) + Maryland Nutrient Management Manual FIV-based N/P/K (combined source)

Frequently asked

What soil-test method does Maryland use?

University of Maryland — Texture × Province lime (SFM-5) + Maryland Nutrient Management Manual FIV-based N/P/K (combined source). Zone Forge cites the publication on every recommendation.

Is the Maryland soil-test calculator free?

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

Can Zone Forge calculate a Maryland lime rate?

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

Zone Forge reads every Maryland 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 →