I've been using my raised beds for several years now. They were initially filled with a mix of compost, vermiculite, and peat moss. Over time, I've added more compost and vermiculite, but unfortunately, my garden hasn't been producing well for quite a while. This year, I tried adding some expensive land and sea compost along with fertilizer when I planted and again a few months in, but it didn't seem to make a difference. I'm looking for some solid suggestions to ensure my garden thrives next year.
4 Answers
Consider planting buckwheat as a cover crop! They’re great for improving soil health and can help bring nutrients back into the soil over the off-season. I’ve read a bit about them, and I think trying them could be beneficial for your raised beds.
Make sure you’re considering the sunlight your garden gets. I recently realized that my trees were casting a lot more shade than I thought. If you’ve trimmed back some trees and now have more light, that could help your plants thrive!
Lack of sunlight is definitely a concern! I also had trees next to my garden and had to trim them back. After some serious trimming, at least 90% of my garden gets good sunlight by afternoon now, which should be sufficient, right?
You might want to investigate a few things: What specific plants have you been growing? When did you last till the soil? Also, a soil test could be really helpful to see if you're lacking essential nutrients. I've had great results with a 4-way mix of soil, peat moss, sand, and compost in my garden for years. It’s been solid for me, even with the occasional overcrowding.
I've mainly grown tomatoes, peppers, beans, and herbs, but I’ve tried melons and lots of other veggies too without much success. A soil test sounds like a smart idea!
Yeah, cover crops sound interesting! I’ve never tried them either, but they seem like a good way to add nutrients naturally.