Vegetable Garden Soil
Melissa Chumakov
last year
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last yearlast modified: last yeargardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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vegetable garden soil question : manure
Comments (1)Yes, I'd do both of those things. Your plants would probably benefit from some sort of fertilizer. Side-dressing with composted manure should help. There are liquid organic fertilizers available, like Neptune's Harvest fish and/or seaweed fertilizer. You could also put down a good organic mulch (hay or straw, or something other than wood chips), which would keep in the moisture, and begin the process of breaking down into the soil for next year's crop. Good luck....See MoreVegetable garden soil
Comments (2)I agree with oldroser. Without knowing anything about your soil, I would guess it will grow veggies as is. Maybe they won't grow optimally, but I'll bet they will grow. As you gain experience each year, and learn what improvements are needed, you can amend the soil. It doesn't have to be done all at once before you start gardening. Don't think you have to buy the soil itself, or buy a lot of amendments, in order to have a garden. When leaf raking season arrives, start making compost. Just pile the leaves up and let them rot to make the best compost there is. It's free and gives you an incentive to rake. Jim...See Moreacid vegetable garden
Comments (7)How did you determine the pH of your soil was 5.0? A lab test or a home test kit? If a home test kit please get a lab test done prior to doing anything to change the pH. Wood ash does raise pH, but the contents of one fire spread over a garden isn't likely to have much affect. If your soil pH really is 5.0 in the garden area it is probably pretty close to that everywhere else. Either plant lots of blueberries or use lime to raise it to 6.0-6.5. Get a lab test first though, please....See Moregrowing Vegetables and organic gardening
Comments (6)I'm afraid that it's too late to start tomatoes in Houston. Really you want to put the largest transplant possible in the ground by the middle of March (I do 4 inch pot transplants in March 1, then protect if there is a late freeze in the forecast). You could try one now if you found a huge transplant, but the temperatures will likely be too hot for good fruit production by the time the plant is ready. Peppers should be fine, and I would also recommend summer squash and/or zucchini. I have had very good luck with them. I had a pepper plant live for 3 years without me doing a single thing to it (except pick the peppers of course). It died in the ice storm this past January. I put veggies in the soil as soon as I buy them. Also, mulch is very important. Not all insects are bad! Personally, I visually inspect veggies every day and kill stinkbugs and snails. I would also do a search on lasagna gardening if you haven't already....See MoreMelissa Chumakov
last yearMelissa Chumakov
last yearfloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last yearklem1
last yearMelissa Chumakov
last yearken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
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