Why Are My New Plants All Dying?

Question

I have been a gardener for years. Last year I put in raised beds. This year to renew the soil I used blood meal, bone meal, and worm castings along with mycorrhizal innoculant. Almost everything I planted is shriveling and not doing well, especially the things I started here at home, hardened and planted out. Some of them were a bit spindly, but even planting the tomatoes deep didn’t help. Some things started doing well and then leaves started yellowing. I put in a more balanced fertilizer hoping that will help. Even my flowers (moss roses) look terrible. Have I done something wrong? Why is my garden not doing better? I’ve never had this problem until this year, so maybe it’s the fertilizing I did?

Answer 1

You may have overdone the fertilizer. Blood meal needs to be applied carefully as it is a sudden jolt of nitrogen. If your soil is well draining, frequent waterings may flush some out. It would be wise to get a soil analysis to see what is amiss. You can do that through your nearest County Extension office.

These articles should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/blood-meal-fertilizer.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/budget-friendly-ways-to-reinvigorate-garden-soil

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/tomato/best-soil-for-tomatoes

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/portulaca/portulaca-plants.htm