Question
Grand Rapids, MI (Calvin College)
Dear Rick,
For my intro biology class, I am supposed to determine how a lawn fertilizer with a 29-3-4 formula would affect each of the following garden vegetables if the fertilizer were applied according to the directions on the package.  The vegetables in question are carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and sweet corn.  I've been having a tough time tracking down info on this topic and my professor said to use whatever resources are available to us, so if you can help by providing an answer or even just by giving a suggestion of where to find info on the topic, that would be great.
Thanks in Advance,
Steve

Answer
i usually don't do homework questions, but my mother was born in your town, lived most of her life in chicago (as a kid), and moved to NJ, where i live now. i would check to see what the different crops need "N,P,K-wise" to grow properly. you should find that they won't need that strong of a "N"-nitrogen precentage. nitrogen will help green the foliage. this is good for turf, but may burn the veggies at that concentration. get to a local garden center/nursery to see what % of N,P,K is on the label for garden fertilizers (espoma-gardentone, scotts-veggtie fertilizer, etc.)-usually 3N,2P,& 1K. "P"-phosphorous is good for root development (this should be good for root crops-carrots, potatoes). tomatoes do well in any soil (like acidic, high organic soils). corn will need more K-potassium for healthier plants w/strong fruit (cobs). all these elements are needed in a form the plants can absorb. soil acidity helps determine how well each plant will absorb the compounts (nitrates. phosphates, etc.). call your local county agricultural agency and ask them about N,P,K requirements for the crops you have listed.
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