Hey everyone! I'm a newbie gardener and this is my first attempt at growing plants. The area I'm gardening in used to be a riverbed about a century ago, and I'm in climate zone 3 in the desert Southwest. The previous gardener had great success without using any fertilizer. Last year, they added red wood mulch to the walkways. This year, I've put in "compost mulch," which is free compost from the city made from yard waste, including tree branches, grass clippings, and leaves.
I'm a bit confused because I'm noticing yellowing leaves on my plants, and I'm not sure if I have a nitrogen issue—maybe too much or too little? The red wood mulch is known to leach nitrogen, but I'm concerned that the compost mulch I added might contain too much nitrogen as well since it has a lot of woody bits.
Also, I read that it's a good idea to test soil, but I need guidance on how to do that. Is there an easy and affordable way for a newcomer like me to test my soil? I've put a picture of my spinach plant in my profile. Thanks so much for any help!
2 Answers
It sounds like you're off to a great start with your first garden! What's important is knowing what you're planting and if it's the same as the previous gardener. Each plant has specific needs for light and water, which could also be affecting their growth. If you're in the US, you can send samples of your soil to a local cooperative extension for testing, or there's always the option of commercial testing kits. Typically, well-composted mulch can balance out any nitrogen loss from the wood mulch, so it might not be the mulch that's the issue. Keep monitoring your plants and let us know if you can share some photos, it really helps!
I can't upload photos either, but it’s okay! Just remember to keep an eye on the plants and adjust according to what works best for them.
Great questions! Just keep in mind that not all compost is the same quality—some can be rich and dark while others are still chunky. To give your veggies the best chance, consider mixing in some packaged chicken manure or a soil conditioner around 12 inches deep. This will really help if your soil isn't as rich as it could be. Remember, veggies thrive best in quality soil!
Thanks! I've been growing tomatoes and squash alongside my spinach too, but it’s tricky figuring it all out. I'm also curious if there's such a thing as too much compost mulch. I was mixing it into my soil at a 1:1 ratio for every planting hole!