Raised Veg Border With Fine Imported Top Soil Size 2m X 5m Have Had Raised Bed For Several Years But Unable To Get Any Sort Of Crop

Question

from root vegetables even potatoes which give a large green head and flowers do not produce potatoes. Radiishes bolt with no bulb, beets root lots of flowers but marble sized beets, carrots a waste of time. I occasionally add horse manure and dig in to no effect. This year I have added 10 bags of soil improvement and intend to add a further 10 bags this weekend either soil improvement or horse manure. What would you suggest?

Answer 1

My first question would be whether you have composted the horse manure. Fresh manure in your garden is far too hot for anything to grow unless you've tilled it into the soil much earlier. This should be done in the fall or winter prior to the following spring planting. An even better idea is to compost it separately before using it as fertilizer. Here's an article that will help with that:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/horse-manure-compost.htm

Next, is your garden in full sun? Most vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. Are you watering and fertilizing properly?

Even with the new soil, I would recommend a soil test before planting in the spring. Here's a helpful article:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/test-soil-for-pests-and-diseases.htm

And more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/the-vegetable-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/problems-growing-vegetables.htm