If soil tests indicate that lime is needed in excess of three tons per acre, plow down the excess and mix three tons thoroughly into the surface soil by repeated discings. All applications of less than three tons of lime should be disced into the surface soil rather than plowed down. Each ton of forage removes approximately 10-12 pounds of phosphorus. Unlike nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus does not readily move down through the soil. Therefore, it is not effective when supplied to the crop as a maintenance application.
Ladino clover is one forage crop that responds well to topdressed applications of phosphorus.
Despite the fact that New Hampshire soils contain low levels of potassium, an application of 50 to 100 pounds of K20 would provide sufficient potassium for a successful establishment of most forage seedings. Spring seedings should receive a total of 175-200 pounds of K20 during the establishment year. Fall seedings should receive at least 100 pounds of K20, applied at the time of seedbed preparation. It is easier to prepare the seedland following a cultivated crop. This sequence increases the likelihood of a smoother seedbed and control of problem weeds such as quackgrass and nutsedge.