Hey folks! I've got a bit of a gardening dilemma. I filled eight planters with garden soil and mixed in mulch and perlite to improve drainage. I know using garden soil wasn't the best choice, but I already had some bags left over. Now I'm worried I might have doomed my plants! Should I be concerned about their growth or is there still hope?
2 Answers
Garden soil can be a mixed bag. It's often enriched with manure, so it’s quite fertilized right out of the gate. While your mulch and perlite help, garden soil is denser than ideal potting mix. Since you added fertilizer, just be cautious; too much nitrogen can harm the roots. But if your plants are tolerant of higher nitrogen levels, they should be fine!
You're not necessarily doomed! While the mulch can take away some nitrogen as it breaks down, don't panic just yet. Keep an eye on your plants, especially if they start to show signs of nutrient deficiency. You might need to add fertilizer later on, just be ready for that!
Oh, that's a relief! I did mix in some organic fertilizer too—when should I think about fertilizing them again?
Thanks for the heads-up! I planted tomatoes, strawberries, sun-patients, dill, basil, and rosemary. Do you think those will handle the nitrogen?