What would stunt veggies in 8 - 4 X 8 raised garden beds?

Carole
by Carole
Corn 6-8" tall Squash all died, radish, green onions, carrots 1/2" tops, no root veggies, just hair like roots, Tomatoes, peppers, transplants didn't grow few produced tiny deformed fruit/veg. Red onions grew tops like green onion but no onion, skinny red root like green onion size, Cukes 3" tall, Pinto beahs 6-8" bush one or two bean pods, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, spinach never got over 1/2", kidney beans didn't do anything, pole beans vine few beans, cantelope 4" high, flowers nothing more. Soil 1/3 potting, coconut coir and aged manure mixed with compost. Bug treatment was neem oil or diatanatous (?) earth, Manure tea once every 3/4 weeks. First year gardening by myself.

  12 answers
  • Barbara SMITH Barbara SMITH on Aug 08, 2017

    you may have too much manure, soil will be too hot for them,lettuce needs shade, tomatoes like sun and water, do ot use any strong weed killer on your grass, it will eventually work its way into the surrounding soil and kill broad-leafed plants, tomatoes, Have your soil tested to see the ph ratio.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 08, 2017

    Maybe the Soil is "spent", you would need to replace and don't forget to Feed during growing season.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 08, 2017

    Sounds like there is a issue with your soil.I would have it tested.

  • Lmc19044399 Lmc19044399 on Aug 08, 2017

    Hi! My first thought is that you should have your soil analyzed, then you'll have an idea of what could be causing this. It sounds like you have a lot going on in your soil mixture. I don't usually use that much. Just some good organic garden soil and natural fertilizer. My other question is how much you're watering your beds. Too much water and not enough drainage? Also, I recommend doing some research on what plants should be next to each other, I don't think it's causing this, but it'll help you in your planting as a first-time gardener. Good luck!

  • Kathy Kathy on Aug 08, 2017

    My guess is the soil also. Hairy root crops mean too much nitrogen.

  • Colleen Knight Colleen Knight on Aug 08, 2017

    Your raised bed also may not be deep enough, most veggies need at least 18 inches of depth, tomatoes need 24-36 inches, they all need room to stretch their legs (roots). Corn, carrots, cucumber need 18-24" . Also add some epsom salt (1 cup per 100 square feet, mix well into soil before planting.) Epsom salts is the best thing for plants, veggies, shrubs, rose bushes, it adds back what soils lack and plants crave. Magnesium...Here is a good site telling you what epsom salts will help with plant wise, I use it everywhere: https://bestplants.com/epsom-salt-garden-cheats/

  • Lor28887893 Lor28887893 on Aug 08, 2017

    Yes definitely sounds like a soil problem, pH out of whack? I bought a pH and moisture tester, it was inexpensive gadget (has two long probes which you push into the soil and get an instant reading) which would give you a semi accurate reading. I started with 8" deep raised beds and never had a problem with them not being deep enough as suggested by another poster. My corn was six feet tall this year and I just harvested 18 quarts of corn cut from the cob and canned on Sunday. I also use shredded leaves in the fall every year to fill the beds and then in the spring plant directly into that, it gives you a nice loose soil. Too much nitrogen can also cause problems but I am willing to bet it is a pH problem, your soil is too "hot" or acidic. Hope this helps

  • Gar27475740 Gar27475740 on Aug 08, 2017

    There could be a multitude of reasons. Google you local university extension or one close to a state where you live. For instance my local extension is Penn State. There are a multiple selections of free pubs you can access. Also most county offices have a "Hort Line" to call or an office to visit.

    It is import to inspect both sides of the leaves and to be able to describe the damage to the rest of the plant.

    It might be the soil or it could be critters that weakens the plants and leaves them susceptible to disease. I agree the soil may be the issue.

    When I originally filled the beds I used a mix of garden soil, potting soil, peat moss, composted manure, and perlite.

    Each year I use a product called Bumper Booster to refresh the soil.....usually in the Fall to plant a 2nd crop. Good compost will work also. In very early spring I use one of the Espoma products depending on what I am planting and work it into the soil.

    This year when I planted I used their Biotone product as I put the plants in the ground and the plants looked great. These are organic products that have a chicken manure base.

    There is also a book "What is wrong with my vegetables" that you may find helpfu.

  • Barbara Barbara on Aug 08, 2017

    Many good suggestions here; but I'm curious. You didn't give your location or details of your growing season, nor when you planted; all important details to better help. Many plants benefit from companion planting (just for future reference).

  • Jew28525357 Jew28525357 on Aug 09, 2017

    Keep it simple, especially since this is your first year… Use some miracle grow potting soil and stop there. Alway read what your plants requires; such as how much sun, water, and how deep and wide the plant will get. In addition, if you built your raised garden bed, make sure it's made out of redwood. Many other woods (pressure treated) can leach chemicals into your dirt and plants and will kill them. I hope this helps. Happy gardening!

  • Carole Carole on Aug 10, 2017

    I am in FL. I planted each in the time slot recommended on the see packages at the depth recommended. I planted the sister, corn, pole beans and squash in one bed. Surrounded on the outside with calendula for big control. Pinto beans in a bed by themselves surrounded with calendula. Tomatoes, peppers, onions and calendula surround. Lettuce, carrots, onions, spinach, one row tomatoes, calendula surrounding. Cantelope by themselves calendula surrounding. Cukes alone calendula surrounding. Remaining needs used testing varies herbs, scattered in bed calendula surrounding.

  • Carole Carole on Aug 10, 2017

    The beds are three concrete blocks high, making them 24 inches, I think, filled with soil mixed one third putting soil, one third coconut coir, one third compost and manure mixed. On top of wood chips and branches for drainage and to root and compost on bottom. I added Rock dust to each planting. I used Epson salt, sprinkled on top roughly twice a month watered in. Tomatoes got Epson salt at planting and bimonthly after that.