Problems With Imported Soil And Recycled Green Waste.
Question
We have started a new garden in a raised bed with new soil we had delivered. The soil seems to have sand and lots of wood chips.We planted seeds that have come up but the plants are yellow and I know it is not from over watering.The plants just sit there and do not grow but the little yellow plants,squash,have large yellow blooms already.The tomato plants are yellowish with small leaves,but have tomatoes already.
Answer
With regard to your question on your seedlings and the imported soil,it’s because the soil is a mixture of soil and shredded green waste or wood chips; a type of recycling.However, the problem is that the soil mixture has become unbalanced, possibly with heavy metals such as iron.In addition the soil’s bacteria and micro organisms will have used up a lot of the soil’s nutrients trying to breakdown the added wood chips.This type of soil is often sold and is not suitable for growing seedlings and veg crops.I would do a soil pH test on it and I imagine you will find the pH level will be quite low, around pH 5.5.In this case you would be best to mix in some spent mushroom compost available from a mushroom farmer, as this contains a lot of lime and organic matter and will help your imported soil recover.
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