Does soil get "tired"?

[Papa Deuce]

My raised bed vegetable garden is 5 years old. I used mushroom soild when it was firts made. I plant the basic veggies and herbs.... tomatoes, peppers, basil and rosemary. And parsley / cilantro.

Every year my yields are significantly lower that the year before. I fertilize with pellets when planting. And this year I started using Miracle Gro that I apply with a watering pail. I just started that last week.

So, it seems to me that maybe my soild has no real nutrients left. Is that right?

Also, I just last week started a compost bin.

 

[marydmjj]

Do you rotate your crops? If not, then your soil is definitely depleted. Even if you do rotate, you still need to amend it each spring before planting with compost. You should dig at least 2-3" of compost in your beds each year. In addition to that, you need to fertilize the plants with whatever they require. You can take a sample of your soil to your local county extension office and they will test it for you and tell you exactly what it is lacking. Some people do this every year before they plant.

Hope this helps.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Do you rotate your crops? If not, then your soil is definitely depleted. Even if you do rotate, you still need to amend it each spring before planting with compost. You should dig at least 2-3" of compost in your beds each year. In addition to that, you need to fertilize the plants with whatever they require. You can take a sample of your soil to your local county extension office and they will test it for you and tell you exactly what it is lacking. Some people do this every year before they plant.

Hope this helps.

My "crops" are all in a 18 x 5 foot bed.... no room to rotate!

But I live close to an extension, so I will try that. Thanks.

 

[DebºoºS]

Soil in planters, pots & raised beds all get tired. You might try working in bags of manure (dehydrated of course) peat moss and Miracle potting soil. All of which can be found at the local garden center or Home Depot. If your ph is off
your extension could tell you with a soil test.

 

[rockyroad]

It sounds like you need to start adding organic material this fall after your summer planting is gone. Leaves, alfalfa pellets, manure....whatever you can get.

I have found that a layer of manure over the top and then mulch over that makes the worms happy and keeps them busy until spring.

 

[DebºoºS]

Absolutely Rockyroad! It makes tilling and weeding in the spring easier too

 

[Mamu]

Yes it sounds like you may have tired soil (depleted of it nutrients) .

Start a small compost pile and add all your yard waste to it. Add this yard waste to the garden next year. Also add lime this is important. I also add fireplace residue (wood ash only).

You can also plant annual rye grass (green manure) in the fall, let it grow and in the spring turn it over in the soil.

All of these will help your soil. They will enrich the nutrient content, improve the texture and help the soil to retain moisture.

Things like Miracle Gro are a great plant Pick-me-up but remember they add nitrogen to the soil. This works wonders but too much nitrogen can also be bad for the soil.

Even though you have a small garden do not plant the same plants in the same place year after year.

Good luck! I'm sure your soil will reward you with bountiful crop next year.