Soil Additives

What's my opinion on soil additives, meaning stuff like ashes for more alkaline or bone meal for potatoes, as opposed to 10 10 10 or whatever fertilizers? I seem to recall that Mel wasn't really wild about these things thinking MM was good enough. Yet here at the end of my growing season, despite using as diverse a combination of different things for my compost, about 3 or 4 different composts mixed together, my acid loving plants, especially potatoes (my first crop of those ever) did well in my containers, but Spinach, beets, and alkaline liking stuff not so much.

In retrospect, I didn't feed them every few weeks either.  Quite frankly, I got off to a late start, and was playing catch up all year.

TIA

Chuck, Beets and spinach are cool weather crops, so this may be the time to start them.

As a SFG Certified Instructor, I am a SFG purist and do not add anything to the formula. It takes time for the compost in the Mel's Mix to break down through the action of microbes and roots. Each time you replenish the blended compost, you are actually providing future nutrients.

Regarding the pH, MM is basically neutral and works for 99% of produce. Acid loving blueberries are an example of an exception. Each plant has its "perfect" pH, but MM is good enough to have a healthy garden.

As you stated, you got a late start. I predict that you will be more confident in MM as you garden on. Learning what to plant, when, is something you will also learn. Your local Master Gardeners, Ag Commission, or university, should have guidelines for planting.

Thanks for you prompt responses!!

If I ever read anywhere about the need for some composts needing additional time to "cure", I dont recall. I thought that was the point of composting. But ok.

What about worms, do they add anything?

How often do you stone dust?

Chuck,  No, you didn't miss reading about compost taking time to "cure."  Even new Mel's Mix will support the plants.  It's just that it takes time for the whole 2" worth of compost per 6" of Mel's Mix to be broken down.  Screening store bought and even home made composts to screen out larger pieces helps in that the smaller the particles, the more surface area for the microbes and roots to go to town.

Worms produce castings which are very rich.  The castings are not compost, but may be counted as a compost for the purpose of making Mel's Mix.  Limit the total volume to 5-10% of the composts.  You can add a few earth worms to each box and save money.

There are 2 books I recommend.  The first, "Teaming with Microbes", by Lowenfels & Lewis, explores the wonderful micro-life in healthy soils.  The second, "Teaming with Nutrients," by Jeff Lowenfels explores the roles and sources of nutrients. The third book of the series, "Teaming with Fungi," is more important for permanent plants such as trees and bushes, though you may get hooked on the first two books and want to read it.