I tore down a 112 year old shed that had no foundation. Just wood right on the ground. In its long history of use it housed, coal, corn cobs,and a lot of junk. The soil is very loose and full of the above mentioned. I moved in this past April with a lot of plants both dug up and started from seeds that needed to get in the ground. We have heavy clay here and the existing garden beds were neglected for 25 years so I couldn't plant in them.
I put most every thing in the shed bed. I tested the soil in a couple different spots and no nitrogen or potassium even registered. Not surprising with all the rotted wood in it. The Phosphorus showed as ok. I added blood meal and potash, dug out as much coal and other detritus as I could and planted. When my veggie seeds came up I gave them some Osmocote and a foliar spray with Miracle Gro. When I noticed some of the tomato and pepper leaves turning yellow I added more blood meal then decided to add more potash too.
In recent years I've done all my gardening in raised beds where I had more control over the soil I worked with. I'm an older single woman and don't get around as easily as I used to and this ground level garden is hard on me. I laid down soaker hoses and covered the bed with straw to help cut down the time I need to spend watering or on my knees.
My question?
Is there anything else I should've done? Or still need to do?
How often should I add blood meal or potash?
The plants are growing but quite a few of them seem stunted. Beans that haven't climbed yet while others across the garden are 5' tall. Giant sunflowers still under 4' tall. Peppers under 2'. Then I have the 6' tomatos and the squash climbing up and over my cattle panel arch and the Hyssop going crazy! So its not the whole garden. I see it as spots that didn't get enough of whatever I laid down. Or some plants like the soil the way it is.
I'm looking for some one to tell me if I'm doing it right and what I should do to make it better? I don't compost as I'm alone and don't feel up to it. But I want a healthy garden!
