Tired Raised Bed Soil?

[MissS]

13-13-13.

I have fertilized twice with Ironite 12-10-10. Could be a lack of trace minerals in the soil so I figured the Ironite would fix that.

Nope. The only mineral it supplies is iron unless your package analysis states otherwise.

[Wildcat82]

13-13-13.

I have fertilized twice with Ironite 12-10-10. Could be a lack of trace minerals in the soil so I figured the Ironite would fix that.

Nope. The only mineral it supplies is iron unless your package analysis states otherwise.

I should have been more specific. I used Ironite Plus 12-10-10. The analytical breakdown on the bag lists Sulfur, Boron, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

[Wildcat82]

So it sounds like your plants are only being 'fed' when you fertilize them every 2 weeks. What are you using to fertilize?

I think you're right. I'm using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 about 1-2 tablespoons per gallon per plant. I'm going to double or triple the amount/frequency of fertilizer I use and see if that helps.

[Mark_Thompson]

Maybe try something organic and slow release instead of doubling the dose of blue magic?

I use Nutri-Rich pellets 4-3-2, it’s chicken manure based, super cheap, but just about anything would benefit the soil.

[worth1]

The MG washes out fast.

[MarkAndre]

I bought some liquid kelp today. I’m going to try that as a drench and then later as a foliar application. I figure the analysis is right for me at 0.5-0-0.5, with my high alkaline/phosphorus soil.

[zeuspaul]

Or Espoma Organic Garden-tone available at Home Depot 27 pounds for $27 or 8 pounds for $15. And supplement with a liquid fertilizer as needed.

Maybe try something organic and slow release instead of doubling the dose of blue magic?

I use Nutri-Rich pellets 4-3-2, it’s chicken manure based, super cheap, but just about anything would benefit the soil.

[MissS]

I would be careful doubling up on the MG. It contains salts which can build up in your garden and the nutrients from it wash out fast. I would try some organics along with the MG. Do try to amend the bed with some organic product and be sure to mulch with something that you can then work into the soil come fall. It will really help your soil and your problems.

[MarkAndre]

I bought some liquid kelp today. I’m going to try that as a drench and then later as a foliar application. I figure the analysis is right for me at 1-0-1 (wrong! See below) with my high alkaline/phosphorus soil.

Edit: Correction, the analysis of this product as it appears on the bottle on the product page is 0.5-0-0.5.

[worth1]

High alkalinity will keep your plants from taking up nutrients.
Your pH needs to be down below 7.
6 is about right.
The nutrients might be there and you don't know it.
Once the pH gets corrected the plants may explode.

[Wildcat82]

Lots of good ideas here - thanks everyone! I've got 4 raised beds so I plan on trialing several suggestions.

Let's see if I can get these bad boys growing again.

[MarkAndre]

High alkalinity will keep your plants from taking up nutrients.
Your pH needs to be down below 7.
6 is about right.
The nutrients might be there and you don't know it.
Once the pH gets corrected the plants may explode.

Good to know!

[karstopography]

San Antonio municipal water is pretty alkaline.

[worth1]

San Antonio municipal water is pretty alkaline.

So is Bastrops.

[MarkAndre]

I am guessing my well water is alkaline. Hmm.

[worth1]

I am guessing my well water is alkaline. Hmm.

Get a kettle and fill it with water.
Boil the water off and see what you have left.
If it's a white substance it's probably calcium.
You can scrape off this powder and put it over a flame.
Look up mineral flame test and they have a color chart.
The color of the flame will tell you what the minerals are.
Lots of information on line about this.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... xXFbYc_3Zm

[MarkAndre]

I am guessing my well water is alkaline. Hmm.

Get a kettle and fill it with water.
Boil the water off and see what you have left.
If it's a white substance it's probably calcium.
You can scrape off this powder and put it over a flame.
Look up mineral flame test and they have a color chart.
The color of the flame will tell you what the minerals are.
Lots of information on line about this.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... xXFbYc_3Zm

Wow, that’s cool!
I hadn’t thought about my well water potentially causing soil problems.

[karstopography]

https://www.edwardsaquifer.net/geology.html
More on the edwards aquifer, the source of San Antonio’s water supply.

[MarkAndre]

https://www.edwardsaquifer.net/geology.html
More on the edwards aquifer, the source of San Antonio’s water supply.

Based on your handle and location, guessing this is an area of expertise.

[bower]

If you don't have a pH test strip, you can get a ballpark on the pH easily with a bit of red cabbage or blueberries.
To test your water, pour boiling water over some chopped red cabbage. If the water is acid, you will see red pigment in the water, but if it's alkaline the antho from the cabbage will turn blue.
There's a rough pH scale with colors from cabbage given here:
https://www.um.edu.mt/projects/xjenzatv ... ent-03.php