Mixed Results

Hello All,

This is my second season with SQFG. I can't seem to grow beets. I get very poor results. My radishes tend to be poor too. However, my parsley grows well. Peas seem to be coming up fine. I planted garlic in the fall and it is doing well.

Potatoes did well, but my other root vegetables did not. Again beets, rutabega, turnips, and carrots.

Any suggestions?

Paul

Last year was a terrible year for me with carrots and beets, as it was for a lot of folks across the country. I am hoping for better results this year. It's early yet, are you going to add compost to your beds and try again? may sprinkle a bit of bone meal which root crops seem to like.
Welcome to the forum pdalley.

There are many variables and it is hard to say. In the same box I have had great beets and lousy beets and the same for other plants. As long as everything is not looking sickly, I write it off to seed/weather/critters/stuff I know nothing about/some nutrient lack in particular space and just say "NEXT!" If I think I can fix it, I do. If I do not know the cause I add more compost and replant. But what I do not do is sweat it. As time goes on, things get clearer and I adjust. No engineer here. An artist in the garden.

Chopper wrote:An artist in the garden.

Yes you are!!!

I guess I'll add a little more compost, some bone meal and keep plant'n. I have already started some squares so I just modify square by square. Do think I could till in compost around existing plants??

Root crops benefit from a boost of potassium......try adding some greensand, seaweed, or wood ashes to the soil.

I like to add liquid kelp when I think suspect might be some kind of nutrient problem....its a nice non-burning low nitrogen trace mineral fertilizer loaded with natural plant growth hormones.

I been using it to my SFG since I relied entirely on purchased composts and was worried I might be lacking in nutrients.

So far my Radishes are doing great......

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You can find liquid kelp it at you local Hydroponics store or online....its not too expensive as a little goes a long way.

You can also use Kelp Meal for the same purpose......but it tends to be a bit more expensive than the liquid kind if you cant find the larger bags.

Liquid kelp is also a bit easier add if already have a bed full of plants.

pdalley wrote:I guess I'll add a little more compost, some bone meal and keep plant'n. I have already started some squares so I just modify square by square. Do think I could till in compost around existing plants??

yes you can side dress existing plants with compost.....you could also make some compost tea and give them a good drink of that

when my veggies/plants look like they maybe in need of a pick me up.....i will put a couple cups full of compost with worm castings or chicken poo-i use what i have... .... into a five gallon bucket along with some type of sugar source.....about 1/4 cup worth.....( i have been using organic mircle grow because its made from beet sugar) and fill it with rain water or city water that has sat over night to let the cholorine evap out....

.i will give it a good stir and leave it sit for a couple of days....stiring it daily....or i will use a air bubbler for 24 hrs......then before i give it to our plants i will add some fish em and liquid kelp.....just a tad bit.....like 1/8 of a cup each... if that......(i just give it a couple of pours) in to the 5 gal bucket and stir it up and give the plants a nice drink.....

you really dont have to get fancy.....just adding some compost to some water and letting it sit for a day or so will work great too....the above it just something i do.......

hope that helps

hugs

rose