Plants are stalling

Hope someone can help. Some plants are doing fine; others grow from seed to a few inches then just sit there; still others grow foilage but no flowers or fruits -- radishes don't "radish", carrots don't "carrot", broccoli didn't "broccoli"; cosmos are 6" and sitting; tomatos are on trellis 7' tall with just a few fruits; cucumbers the same -- seems the blossoms bloom then fall off w/no fruit or fruit doesn't mature. All are in containers with similar soil in different parts of the yard. I have not done a ph test but have mixed my own very rich organic compost with a variety of manures, mushroom compost, home compost made up of kitchen scrapes and garden waste. Thank you for your help.

Have you fertilized? Nutrients can leach out of containers very quickly despite how good the soil composition is. I'd try a good, slow-release fertilizer like GardenTone by Espoma. It's got a low nitrogen content so it's harder to over-apply or burn your roots with it.

Yes, regularly with Miracle Grow.

The last time I checked a box of Miracle Gro it was severely lacking in micronutrients and had no Calcium whatsoever. Personally, I believe it is junk food for plants. It feeds them way too much nitrogen to bulk up their tops but does nothing for their root development. If you ate candy bars for every meal you'd grow fast too but it wouldn't be good growth now would it? :) I'd still recommend switching over to a slow-release like the one I suggested.

Thanks plantfreak. I just may have to resort to that. I was trying to go without any fertilizer at all, but used the MG because we had it on hand. I'm going out today to buy a pH test kit. That's the one thing I haven't done. It's late in the season so I'm not sure fertilizing now would be worth it for this year's plants. What do you think?

Anyone else have input?

Also, now the squirrels are digging frantically in my newly seeded fall vegetable patch! I'm feeling like this is a losing battle! I have some Ro-pel that I'm going to sprinkle around. Have you ever used it?

Fall is a great time to fertilize for next years plants.

I agree with kwanjin. Using an organic fertilizer won't just feed your plants now, it will help build the soil and make it better in the long term. Also, don't think of fertilizer as a bad thing. It's food and all living things need food. But a natural, organic fertilizer like the ones Espoma makes are like eating fresh fruits and veggies instead of processed, half-artificial foods (which is more like the MiracleGro-candy bar connection I made earlier).

Well, I tested my soil, just in one place so far. I can't believe the results! If I'm reading the results correctly here they are: pH 7-8; N=very low; P=High; K=very low.

Early in the spring I did add dried blood and, in some places, fish oil so I'm surprised at the N level. I don't know how the P got so high. Anyway, I have no clue what the readings should be. I'm so confused!!! Is high phosphoras good?

I'll definately look for the fertilizer you recommended. But I wish I understood all this better. All I can remember about all this stuff is that my Dad (back in the 50s) always said for flowers get a high middle number! I'm doing both flowers and veggies.

HELP! I have a headache *smile*

If you're using one of those pH home testing kits you may want to check into doing a test through your extension service. They'll give you way more precise results. I'm not sure how your phosphorus level got so high unless you've applied triple phosphate or the like (or maybe your soil is just naturally high is phosphorus). You definitely will need to get your nitrogen and potassium levels up high for most veggies but you will also need to do something about your pH. Most of the plants you are growing prefer a slightly acidic soil (~6.5) and yours seems to be running more alkaline.

Thanks, folks for all your help. I think I may go to the extension service. I'll still check back here for any further input.

Again. Thanks.

I took my filled soil test tubes to the local garden shop where I bought them and the very fine gentleman there fixed me up with a solution: Plant-tone by Espoma! He said I wasn't reading some of the results correctly so Plant-tone was my best bet. I applied it today and will see. I know I may not realize results until next spring. I can wait. But it's still warm here in my part of Ohio so my fall veggies should let me know if this is the solution.

Just thought I would update you. Thanks again.

I told you Espoma products were a good choice. I'm glad someone was there to back me up :)

Thank you plantfreak