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Sassafras72 Morganton, NC(Zone 7a) Mar 24, 2011

I am a third year new gardner and need some help. Our first year we had help from my grandmother and the garden produced if not abundantly then pretty well. The second year it was just my husband and myself and we had some beautiful plants, but less production. We did our best to keep an eye on the water, insect, weed, fertilizer situation and feel like we did a pretty good job of it. But I am curious if anyone has any suggestions in how we can increase our production over all with out using "bad" chemicals.

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eweed Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Mar 24, 2011

Depends what you consider bad chemicals.If fertilizer is a problem choose organic fertilizer. If it's bugs there are organic ways to deal with them to.

Me I keep paper and pen close by. What works and helps and what dosen't. A lot of good production is missed when people fail to do the basics.Feed well ,weed well,and water well.Have you ever noticed bugs especially Aphids seem to attack sick plants that are not growing to well.

Not really Knowing about where you garden I probably shouldn't say more but I think it is safe to say for best results you should get your soil tested.P.H. and N,P,And k numbers should be considered.Here the lab will tell you exactley what to add to grow the best.

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HoneybeeNC Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b) Mar 25, 2011

Sassafras72 - I see you are in Zone 7a NC. If you have "red clay" you will need to either use raised beds, or add lots of organic matter to lighten up the soil.

Give more info so we can help you.

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LiseP San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Mar 27, 2011

I'm thinking that maybe your good harvest used up more of the goodies in the soil than you managed to put back the following year. Or conversely, maybe too much nitrogen and your plants stayed busy making green stuff and less time making fruit?

I am also wondering about timing. If you plant too late or weather gets really hot early, that can have an adverse effect.

I'm no expert, that's just something to ponder.

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Sassafras72 Morganton, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 06, 2011

Since we are in NC, yes we have red clay. However, thanks to mother natures compost and our own our soil is not heavy.
"Eweed" we try to go as organic or natural as possible used mainly rotenone and pyrethrin last year. Soil test is on the agenda.
"LiseP" had not thought about that having used up all the good stuff, will also check how much nitrogen we put on. We planted in stages to try and have a longer harvest, but the weather here was crazy last year and looks to be more of the same this go round.
"HoneybeeNC" what other info would be helpful for ya'll to know?

Thanks everyone for taking the time to try and help me.

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