My plantings are struggling

home gardener 5/14/2010, 1:06 pm

When I made my Mel's mix, the lady at the big box store told me it wasn't suitable for the San Joaquin Valley. Not being deterred, I made the mix anyway, but everything I've planted is struggling~ seeds and plants. The plants and flowers are yellow and weak and my seeds are growing really slowly (could this be because they are heirloom seeds?). AND (and I've posted this on another thread as well) I have tiny mushrooms growing throughout my boxes ~ yuck! I would appreciate any insight on these issues!!!

SirTravers 5/14/2010, 1:11 pm

Since all the nutrients in the mix come from the compost...what kinds of compost did you use? That would be the first item on the list to check on.

**timwardell** 5/14/2010, 2:41 pm

Did the lady happen to say WHY Mel's Mix was not suitable for the San Joaquin Valley? The stuff seems to work almost everywhere else. ... If it is a nutrient issue you might amend the mix with an organic 10-10-10 or 7-7-7 fertilizer. (Yes, I know you're NOT SUPPOSED to need fertilizer but if there's an imbalance with the compost something has to be done.) :suspect:

home gardener 5/14/2010, 3:57 pm

She didn't like the peat moss part, saying it can dry out~ especially in the central valley heat. I should say also, she was a rep trying to sell us packaged mix! Anyhow, that was her concern with it.

junequilt 5/14/2010, 4:27 pm

I would echo Tim's recommendation, except I'd start with a sprinkling of blood meal, which is pure organic nitrogren. It's slow release, but a good watering-in should give the plants enough of a nitro blast for you to determine if your problems are due to nitrogen starvation. You might have used a compost that hadn't broken down sufficiently, in which case it could be tying up all the available nitrogen.

Chopper 5/14/2010, 10:35 pm

When we are dependent on store bought compost, we get what we get and there is a chance, especially the first year that it may need ammending. Year 2, 3, and 4 should fare better because if you are making your own, you will have more control over the ingredients. Forget the lady in the store. She had an agenda and it had nothing to do with the success of your garden. More like the success of her bonus.

vinny09 5/22/2010, 7:01 pm

I'm in Woodland, which is pretty similar to most of the San Joaquin Valley. My first year with SFG was last year. Our cukes, eggplant, and bush beans grew well. Our tomatoes (all heirloom varieties) didn't unfortunately. They did grow nice and tall and flowered and everything, but barely had any fruit. I think it was due lack of watering. I was only watering every other day in the beginning and that may have been the issue. This year, I plan to water once a day, twice when it gets hotter. Oh, and mulching this year too.

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My plantings are struggling

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