Jim Carter wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 21 Jun 2003 18:25:23 GMT, wrote in
rec.gardens.edible:

Could the problem be inherent in the soil? You don't state whether is
the first year that things have not gone well. IOW, could the friend
be gardening in soil that needs amendments (as you point out above).
Some soil is so rich it doesn't need help; others are not.

The tale is classic. The soil has been used for four years (not just three as I
said earlier). First year, everything grew well; second year, still okay; third
year, all plants smaller and slower growing than they should have been; this is
the fourth year.

He has been using Miracle Grow and other such chemical remedies. I have told
him that this as if he took vitamin and mineral tablets only and then wondered
why he is starving to death. I think he is finally getting the point.

In other words, I am convinced that his problem is the soil needs organic
material. I am trying to find a way for him to save this year's plantings.

I agree that he probably ran out of one or more nutrients. The most
complete soil amendments are, typically, kitchen scraps and manure. I
would lay down two to four inches of manure, and the plants will be
getting manure tea from rain and irrigation. You can not probably
expect much this year - at this point he may consider starting a fall
garden, in a couple of month the manure will have kicked in.

For next year, a Ph/N/P/K test costs a few bucks. If he needs
nutrients across the board, then more manure/kitchen waste (grass
clippings are undigested manure). If he has a relatively high pH and
needs P/K, wood chips (if he needs N/K, coffee grounds). If he has
acid soil and needs K, wood ash. If he just needs structure and
organics, leaves.