Seed frenzy

[galmal]

Oh, I'm so jealous! I wish I could grow all those things. Sadly my dreams have been rather dashed by the reality that no matter what I try I can't get enough sun to grow anything edible.

I can really relate - although my lack of being able to grow edibles has nothing to do with lack of sun. I don't know why, I can grow flowers beautifully, but just can't get the "kitchen" garden to do much. I get a few tomatoes, one year the peppers did reasonable well, but other than that, it just ain't happenin'. Anybody else have this problem? Or is it just me

 

[zigs]

I can really relate - although my lack of being able to grow edibles has nothing to do with lack of sun. I don't know why, I can grow flowers beautifully, but just can't get the "kitchen" garden to do much. I get a few tomatoes, one year the peppers did reasonable well, but other than that, it just ain't happenin'. Anybody else have this problem? Or is it just me

Could be a ph problem, have you tested the soil? Veg usually likes it alkaline. Also needs fertiliser like well rotted manure and compost digging in

 

[galmal]

Could be a ph problem, have you tested the soil? Veg usually likes it alkaline. Also needs fertiliser like well rotted manure and compost digging in

I never thought of that, I'll have to do a soil test. Maybe it's not me after all - yeah!! (I'm doing the happy dance). I've always wanted a nice kitchen garden, and have always been disappointed. It would be nice if it was something as simple as adding a little manure. Of course, my husband is full of #@%^ - does that count??

 

[zigs]

You can compost most organic stuff, but husbands do tend to make the heap a target for rodents.

You can buy garden lime to raise the ph, few handfuls per square yard, but not on the potatoes as it encourages potato scab

Let us know how you get on with the testing first though.

 

[marlingardener]

Galmal, we get our vegetable garden soil tested every 4-5 years. We go to our county agent, get a soil test kit, send it off to a university, and get the results. We know if we are low on essential nutrients. See if Tennessee offers a comparable service.
I don't recommend composting spouses, nor their output. My spouse is much more useful as a tiller and hole digger, and his output would not help any plant that I want to grow!