Knowledgebase
When do you add lime or manure to your garden boxes #744350
Asked April 14, 2021, 3:57 PM EDT
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Kristie. In order to help, I need more information. Do you have raised bed gardens? Are they filled with topsoil, native soil, or a combination of them? Or are your boxes containers potting soil in them? The general rule is that you don't add anything until and unless you already know what you have. If it is topsoil and/or native (clay) soil, you should have a soil test to see if the soil is too acidic, which might require adding some lime. You won't know that unless you have it tested. You might need to add manure, if the soil is in need of more nutrients, but, again, you won't know that until you have test results. If you're using container with potting soil, you should need neither lime nor manure. Here are some articles that may help sort it out: Raised Bed Gardening | OSU Extension Catalog | Oregon State University
No room for vegetables? Pot up your plants | Oregon State University
Analytical Laboratories Serving Oregon | OSU Extension Catalog | Oregon State University
I hope this is helpful. Don't hesitate to write back if you still have questions. Good luck!