| Our pepper and cauliflower plants seem to grow well but, the vegetables do not produce or are very small. What fertilizer would be best or what is our soil missing? |
| Both of these will produce better in a good garden soil well amended with organic matter but their specific requirements are bit different. Peppers grow best in warm soil and in warm weather. Fertilizer recommendations are usually to use one with a ratio of about 1-2-2 because an oversupply of nitrogen can reduce flowering. Temperatures over 90 degrees can cause blossom drop, as can temperatures below 60 degrees. Lack of water can also affect fruiting. Cauliflower is a cool season crop, and will not do well when temperatures are warm. This plant needs an ample supply of nitrogen because it does best when it grows quickly. It also does poorly in an acidic soil, so you may need too check your pH. A soil test will tell you exactly which amendments you need (or don't need) to add to the soil. Your County Extension (662-3141) can help you with the tests and interpreting the results. |
