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Remediation for too much compost in raised beds #845342

Asked August 12, 2023, 8:15 AM EDT

I recently tested my 5 raised beds and all came back with high ph (7.4 to 7.6) and really excessive nutrients (P, K, Mg). And most of my vegetables this year (except for peas) are quite small. Even zucchini didn't grow. I've been topping up the beds with a few inches of compost every year, Champlain Valley Compost, which seems to be largely manure-based. Honestly, I probably didn't dig deep enough to generate my samples. My question: how do I remedy this? Should I dig out the top 6 inches of every bed and replace that will top soil? Like a raised bed mix you get from a gardening center?

Chittenden County Vermont

Expert Response

Michael:  Thank you for contacting the UVM Extension Master Gardener Helpline regarding you soil test results and the poor vegetable production from your raised bed.   I am going to make a few suggestions on ways to remedy this problem.  (Glad you submitted a soil test, so we know where the problems may exist.)  I would suggest making the following changes after you are done with your garden for the year.  

Incorporate some soil into your bed, but not completely remove what you already have, since you already have added compost as a top dressing.   After the bed is done for the year, dig down and thoroughly mix the layers of compost and soil together, along with using a sulfur or aluminum sulfate product to lower the soil PH.  Many organic products are available at local garden centers.  It may take a few months for these to work, so amending the soil in the fall should make the garden ready to plant in the spring.  Don't apply a PH lowering product while plants are growing.  Turn over the soil (hand till) to a depth of 6-8 inches.

Planting is pure compost is not recommended, as plants also require micronutrients available in soil.   Thoroughly mixing all of these ingredients together should help, especially since you mention that you may not have taken a deep enough sample for your soil test.

I would start with this step (thoroughly mixing soil, compost, and PH lowering product) letting the garden set over the winter, and maybe retest in the spring to see if the levels change.  PH may go down slowly, and this is normal.  A reapplication may need to be made if this is the case.

Also, we have been hearing about many vegetable growing problems this summer caused by excessive wet weather.  The rain may also be contributing to your problem, especially if the rain has contributed to poor pollination of the flowers (dropping off, or the bees not working them as much because of the lack of sunny days), so keep this in mind, also.  

I am attaching links to several university fact sheets detailing soil requirements, PH requirements, and suggestions for amending soils for growing vegetables.  You may find these informative.

FS1328: Soil for Raised Beds (Rutgers NJAES)

How to correct problems caused by using too much compost and manure | UMN Extension

After You've Tested Your Garden Soil, Then What? | Horticulture and Home Pest News (iastate.edu)

How To Change Your Soil's pH | Horticulture and Home Pest News (iastate.edu)

Good luck and I hope you find this information helpful.

Susan, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied August 14, 2023, 8:06 AM EDT

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