Hello PNW (2018) - What's happening?

Hello there! It's been a long time since I've been here, but I'm still gardening. This year's garden (2018) is a little different, I've got 3 (4'x4') tabletops now, plus a few other beds of various sizes. I started all but the tomatoes and peppers from seed (new for me), and my neighbor planted the seeds while I was cooking; he put them in rows lol. So we shall see how that works out! My tomatoes and peppers not doing well because I forgot and.planted them in the same spot as last year, without amending the soil; could also be the weather. Trying some new veggies, and I got dwarf lemon and dwarf lime trees to add to the mix.

I do have a soil problem that I was hoping someone could help me with .... Before we planted in the tabletops, we sifted our old dirt to lighten it up, then mixed in some fresh potting soil and amended with worm castings, mushroom compost, chicken manure. I also have a milk jug with holes buried 3/4 in the center of each box. The problem is the water doesn't seep into the soil. I feel like I saturate the box, but when I check the soil under the surface it's like sawdust. Any thoughts?

Hi Bunny!  Can you add some vermiculite to add air space and water retention to the mix?  When I did old school SFG, I added sand to my dirt (clay) and that helped a lot with the water drainage.

Hi Scorpio! Thanks for the warm welcome on that other thread

To answer your questions ...

I have the newer book. I'm not sure how long ago I joined the forum, but it's awhile. I'm ashamed to say I've yet to follow Mel's method precisely. I'm retired now and working with a very tight budget, with that in mind, I didn't add the vermiculite because it's a huge expense to add to all my beds. I was afraid that was going to be the solution for my problem.

So adding sand doesn't make it not hold in moisture?? I guess I will have to get pics on here with my Kindle, then you can see what I mean.

Hi Bunny, I think the only way to get the surface moist is to hand water with a hose attachment or top drip system and then add mulch. Your planting mix is what it is. Just keep adding good compost each time you plant and keep it moist. Looking forward to your photos, hopefully tomorrow. ??

Hi again, Bunny.  

No, sand will not help hold moisture - the opposite, actually.  It makes it drain.

Sanderson's right - improve as you can.  I think a lot of us are in that same boat.

Did you use peat moss in your mix?  I know that it's miserable getting it wet, but then it does hold.  And mulch will help as well!