Interesting raised bed issue...

gssgarden · May 2, 2024

I just put in 3 new raised beds, taking about 4 yards total of 'garden select' soil and 'compost' from my local landscaper supply company.

The 'garden select' soil was about 50% mulch, grrrr..., and the compost wasn't much better. Total S#%T, and I'll never get it again.

So I planted everything about 3 weeks ago, maybe 4 here in zone 7. Everything got off to a great start! Tomatoes jumped up to about 1 1/2 - 2 feet, beans, carrots, spinach, arugula, lettuce, and cukes all sprouted......

...then it all stalled! Everything stopped. Completely. It all just stopped growing. Radishes have been 1 inch tall for weeks now. Been fertilizing, watering, ect like normal.

When I took a shovel to the 'dirt', it's VERY damp! The mulch/compost mixture just isn't draining like it should. Roots most likely will rot. It's bad.

What would you guys recommend to help remedy my problem? Right now all I can think of is to rake the soil a little to get it to dry out but it's a foot deep!

Anything I can do this year? Or just wait until next year?

Thanks in advance!

Greg

hl2601 · May 3, 2024

I agree with letting it dry out. Would raking in some perlite help for now? So sorry this has happened to you.

Labradors2 · May 3, 2024

How awful! Can you dig out a few of your favourites and maybe amend one of the beds for them?

May 2, 2024	#1
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,827	Interesting raised bed issue... I just put in 3 new raised beds, taking about 4 yards total of 'garden select' soil and 'compost' from my local landscaper supply company. The 'garden select' soil was about 50% mulch, grrrr..., and the compost wasn't much better. Total S#%T, and I'll never get it again. So I planted everything about 3 weeks ago, maybe 4 here in zone 7. Everything got off to a great start! Tomatoes jumped up to about 1 1/2 - 2 feet, beans, carrots, spinach, arugula, lettuce, and cukes all sprouted...... ...then it all stalled! Everything stopped. Completely. It all just stopped growing. Radishes have been 1 inch tall for weeks now. Been fertilizing, watering, ect like normal. When I took a shovel to the 'dirt', it's VERY damp! The mulch/compost mixture just isn't draining like it should. Roots most likely will rot. It's bad. What would you guys recommend to help remedy my problem? Right now all I can think of is to rake the soil a little to get it to dry out but it's a foot deep! Anything I can do this year? Or just wait until next year? Thanks in advance! Greg

May 3, 2024	#2
hl2601 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Metro Denver Posts: 767	I agree with letting it dry out. Would raking in some perlite help for now? So sorry this has happened to you.

May 3, 2024	#3
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,894	How awful! Can you dig out a few of your favourites and maybe amend one of the beds for them?