I just filled the tops of my raised beds with about 12 inches of compost, and it was still warm when I planted my seedlings the next day. Now, they look terrible—my beans are falling over, the lettuce is shriveled, and the squash leaves are limp and yellow. Did I mess up my planting season? I thought compost was supposed to be beneficial for plants!
1 Answer
It sounds like the compost you used might not have been fully mature. If it’s still warm, it could be pulling nitrogen from your plants instead of providing it, which can lead to issues like what you're seeing. Also, using just a couple of inches of compost is usually better than going all out with 12 inches. It helps nurture the soil without overwhelming it.