garden doesn't grow down

Hi, new to this forum with a question that's been bugging me for years.

I have a modest 5x12 raised bed garden in my backyard. It's been up and running 4 years and every year I have the same problem.

ANY veggies that grow downward (onions, garlic, carrots) do terrible in my garden. For example: my regular size onions don't get any bigger than a small scallion.

The soil is fairly new and not hard at all. I use an organic fertilizer in the spring, I compost, water well, and get about 10 hours of sun a day on the garden. I'm at the point now to where I think I need to add soil additives (bone meal?) to stimulate growth.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

How about 2 inches of horse manure from the local horse riding school? And I assume you only walk around the bed, not on it?

Hi Tjeckelberg,

You don't say where you live, what type of soil you have, what you amend with, etc., but soil that is high in acid content can cause problems for root veggies. Have you done a pH test? Of course compacted soil is always a problem for them, but from what you are saying, that's not the cause here. Many root veggies also need space, so if you don't thin the plants to allow room for the bulbs to develop, that too can be a problem. And as Thomas suggested, fertilizing is important. Never use fresh manure, especially on veggies.

Maybe this site will help.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...re/DG0435.html

Newt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjeckelberg

Hi, new to this forum with a question that's been bugging me for years.

I have a modest 5x12 raised bed garden in my backyard. It's been up and running 4 years and every year I have the same problem.

ANY veggies that grow downward (onions, garlic, carrots) do terrible in my garden. For example: my regular size onions don't get any bigger than a small scallion.

The soil is fairly new and not hard at all. I use an organic fertilizer in the spring, I compost, water well, and get about 10 hours of sun a day on the garden. I'm at the point now to where I think I need to add soil additives (bone meal?) to stimulate growth.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

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If I may, I have a raised bed that is 12 x 22',with a path down the middle. I to do some root veggies like carrots, things like that. Where I want the root veggies I make sure that I blend in peat and sand in the spot where I will be planting. The peat and sand help the dirt from compacting deep below where my claw or spade doesn't go.. for sure fertilizing is very good, but so is keeping the soil from compacting slowing the down growth. I also rotate my planting every year,,, incorporating the sand and peat where I go. Now I really don't have to do as much, just for maintaining it.
;)
Winddancer

Sorry but I can't figure out how to start a new thread, so . . .
What will manure from domestic (non-farm animals) do to compost and resulting vegtables?
No cows, horses, chickens around, just cats, dogs and wild turkeys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by calfacon

Sorry but I can't figure out how to start a new thread, so . . .
What will manure from domestic (non-farm animals) do to compost and resulting vegtables?
No cows, horses, chickens around, just cats, dogs and wild turkeys.

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Oh please don't use that,,,here is a link to why it is really a bad idea...
http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardand...e-dog-cat.html

Way way bad idea...

Hi Calfacon,

Ditto what Winddancer said, except for the turkey manure, BUT even that should be composted before using as it can burn your plants.

Btw, to start a new thread once you are in the particular forum you want to use, click on 'New Thread' in the upper left corner just above the lighter green line that says, 'Threads in Forum'.

Newt