Well, my community garden might be a flop

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 05-30-2010, 03:37 PM

The first time I went to see my plot, it was totally underwater. After digging some trenches and waiting a week it was dry enough to plant. The soil seemed great. I didn't amend it at all, as I thought the city did that, I didn't have anything to amend it with and no muscle to go buy big bags of compost or anything and spread it around (dh had no time to help me).

Fast forward a week and it is very dry here, been 2 weeks since any rain and the soil around my plants is like a rock. Horrible soil! I don't really think there is much I can do at this point, my plants seem to be struggling. I have been watering them daily and finally got my dh to help yesterday. We added peat moss to all the plants (on top, couldn't dig it in), as well as egg shells around the tomatoes and then covered it all with grass clippings to help hold in the moisture.

I just think there is no way the roots could grow in soil like that! I have a garden here at home and it only cost me $10 for the plot, but still this is very disappointing. I really hope I get something from it. Does anyone else have ideas of what I could do to help it?

**mauimagic** · 05-30-2010, 04:15 PM

Wish I did have some ideas for you. What are others in the community plot doing? What caused the plot to be under water in the first place?

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-30-2010, 06:34 PM

Keep watering as it needs it. Consider using a liquid fertilizer, like Miracle Grow, to make up for the poor soil this year. Next year, consider renting a tiller for an hour or two to break up the ground first.

**Siebrie** · 05-31-2010, 07:33 AM

We had similar problems on our allotment, but we figured that the plants would struggle to survive. If they did, good, if they didn't, shame but that's life. We watered whenever we had the time, about twice a week, mainly the seedlings and young plants. The older plants would have long enough roots to survive.

Is there any way you can shade some of the plants? Put netting on them? Just don't put netting on plants in flower, they need the bees for fertilisation.

**Russ** · 05-31-2010, 08:04 AM

All you can do is amend the soil. Compost, topsoil etc. But really thats next year. This year, I think if you have plants still living, I would put some mulch around them. That will keep the moisture level constant.

**frugalfranny** · 05-31-2010, 03:31 PM

No new ideas that haven't already been mentioned but I am hoping that you get something from it........some sort of reward for your effort!

Good luck..........

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 06-01-2010, 01:39 PM

Thanks everyone. My plot is just in a low part of the garden
I am still trying and won't give up, but have definitely lowered my expectations for the season.

**Josephhgoins** · 06-01-2010, 02:49 PM

btw, Earth worms will help loosen the soil, but it will take a little while.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 06-06-2010, 03:31 PM

Update - I haven't been down there recently, but my husband has. He says it looks great though. I think I will try to dig up some worms from around the yard here and take them down there, that should help eventually.