This Spring We Had Our Floors Sanded and Varnished

Question

My husband took all the scrap wood and put it into my vegetable garden. This year we made sure the garden had sufficient water, but my plants have not done well. I was afraid the lacquer in the wood was affecting my plants. My husband says no. Need to know what I shall do for next year. My plants have poor color and my peppers seen to suffer the most.
Anna Moore

Answer 1

Decomposing wood can use up alot of nutrients in the soil, so that is one possibility. The varnish could contain chemicals that are making the plants unhappy, particularly if it is a very old varnish. It may also be that the scrap wood is providing hiding areas for pests that are affecting your plants.