New beds and failure

David Sawicki 6/10/2021, 10:34 am

My failure was likely using only one compost--mushroom. What to do now? Thanks

**donnainzone5** 6/10/2021, 2:01 pm

That's probably correct.

Was mushroom the only compost you could find? One of the reasons we're here is to help our members find resources.

Also, did you "fluff" your peat moss? And water everything thoroughly before planting? These are other issues that can affect success with SFG.

Nevertheless, I believe your analysis is correct.

Where are you located? I'll bet some of us can come up with other types of compost you can access.

OhioGardener 6/10/2021, 2:18 pm

Welcome, David! I gather by your zip code you are a little north of Atlanta, Ga, correct? If so, be sure to check out the Regional Forum for the Middle South, where you'll find other members who share your growing conditions.

Can you elaborate on what types of failure you experienced, so that we may better be able to help you? Using only one type of compost does not tend to provide all of the nutrients that plants need for success, but there may be some amendments that we can recommend to help recover your gardens.

David Sawicki 6/10/2021, 2:29 pm

OhioGardener wrote:Welcome, David! I gather by your zip code you are a little north of Atlanta, Ga, correct? If so, be sure to check out the Regional Forum for the Middle South, where you'll find other members who share your growing conditions.

Can you elaborate on what types of failure you experienced, so that we may better be able to help you? Using only one type of compost does not tend to provide all of the nutrients that plants need for success, but there may be some amendments that we can recommend to help recover your gardens.

Waleska GA 30183. Plants are all tiny after many weeks. Tomatoes are 1 foot that should be 3 feet by now. Clearly lacking food. Plenty of water. Need to use bags of compost because of steep hills. Can you suggest bags that are very good. Black Cow?

OhioGardener 6/10/2021, 2:59 pm

David Sawicki wrote:Waleska GA 30183. Plants are all tiny after many weeks. Tomatoes are 1 foot that should be 3 feet by now. Clearly lacking food. Plenty of water. Need to use bags of compost because of steep hills. Can you suggest bags that are very good. Black Cow?

Yes, Black Cow Composted Cow Manure is very good. Also see if you can find some chicken manure compost. As an immediate fix for the stunted plants, get some organic bone meal and organic blood meal, place a good hand full of each around each plant, work into the top couple inches, and then water in. That will give the plants a nutrition push to get them growing.

**sanderson** 6/10/2021, 3:05 pm

David, Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$

The more information you can provide on how you made your Mel's Mix will help us trouble shoot. Were there wood pieces in the mushroom compost? Did you fluff the peat moss before measuring? Is the MM moist throughout? Is there enough head room to a add 1/2" - 1" of another pure compost on top of the Mel's Mix? Bagged composts (especially this year) seem to have more wood pieces that need to be screened out. A wood frame with 1/4" hardware cloth does a good job. It may turn out that you will need to add a little organic fertilizer like Espoma Garden-tone.

Looking forward to your replies.

**AtlantaMarie** 6/12/2021, 6:53 am

Hi David. Marie here. I'm your regional host. Welcome to our party!

I would agree that the use of just mushroom compost is a major part of your growing issues. Black Cow is good, but I would also screen it to get large pieces out.

Have you started a compost pile? Can you check with some of the chicken growers to see if you can get some AGED chicken manure from them?

ralitaco 6/13/2021, 11:15 am

Hey David, welcome to the forum from Coastal NC. You are in good hands here...there are so many folks here that know so much AND are willing to share.

I am actually shocked that nobody has asked what I am about to ask...can you share some photos?? 1. it may help the folks here help and 2. we LOVE pics of gardens.

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