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Soil, Compost & Mulch

all leaves few tomatos

15 years ago

i do the lazy man compost where I just pile up whatever I have as i get it, and about twice a year I move the pile over a fork length, take out some of the bottom of the pile and then work whatever is left into the spot. In theory, the pile will eventually move around the entire garden. This year the better boy tomato planted in the center of 2 year ago pile is about six feet tall and wide, but few blossums and fewer tomatos.

I'm inclined to think that this is a function of tomato plants, and in the future i will put tomatoes in poorer soil. I have a vague idea about high nitrogen fertilizer causing growth at the expense of fruit production. Any guidance on compost, what else do I need to know? The fig tree next to last years pile has set an abundance of fruit, and the bananas closest to the current pile are well 'going bananas'

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Comments (4)

digdirt2
15 years ago
I have a vague idea about high nitrogen fertilizer causing growth at the expense of fruit production.

Quite true. But I would expect a 2 year old pile to be excessively high in N. Maybe if it contained a lot of manure? But still, after 2 years it should be pretty neutral I'd think.

Dave
Kimmsr
15 years ago
The nutrients in compost are very stable, unless there is bacterial activity using the nutrients and feeding plants there will be little loss of nutrients over time in copmpost, unless it is kept so wet that even the compost is washed away.
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computergardener
15 years ago
I had the same problem last year. This year, to combat the issue, I add a few tablespoon of liquid bloom 0.12.5 to a few weeks back and I do appear to be getting more tomatoes this year.

The thing for me though is my piles are generally all leaves with me begging for green so I don't think it would be an excess of nitrogen.

Good Luck...
digdirt2
15 years ago
But I would expect a 2 year old pile to be excessively high in N.

Sorry - I meant to say I would NOT expect a 2 year old pile to be excessively high in N. Big difference! ;)

Dave

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