Backyard Farming Forum
Bringing food production home

Aloha and thanks for checking out my thread. I haven't posted an introduction yet but I will after I can get some pics. The reason for this thread is my difficulties in growing in straight compost.

I started an aquaponics system late last year and it is motoring along. A few weeks back I expanded into some wicking beds and one raised bed so far.

The first two wicking beds were made from eighteen gallon totes. The first one was filled with a mix of potting soil I bought by the bag at the local HW store. That container has two tomato plants in it that seem to be doing fine. I made another container just like it but this time I filled it with compost I bought by the yard. This container also has two tomato plants inside but these two plants have grown considerably slower than the other container.

Lastly, I made a raised bed (10 feet x 2 feet x 1 foot) which I also filled with the same compost I bought by the yard. I planted the raised bed with seeds of pole beans, carrots, turnips and radish. The beans have sprouted and appeared to be doing well but now they are turning yellow and starting to die. The turnips only partially sprouted and are making very slow progress. The radish seems to be doing okay so far.

It should be known that when I picked up the truckload of compost the material was still hot and steaming in the middle. Even when I was shoveling the compost from the bed of the truck, the inner areas were still warm. It is my fear that this compost wasn't ready for planting and is not bio-available for my seedlings to the degree to keep them healthy. Also, water retention might be an issue as I've read that compost can offer too much drainage. I've checked the soil under the surface and it always feels mildly moist to the touch.

I've supplemented the compost beds/containers with EM1A, blood and bone meal hoping that might help the plants along.

Anyway, thanks for reading my post. I'll appreciate any help you might offer. Aloha.

Just sounds like the compost was still too hot.
Ive grown in straight mushroom compost and had good results it was cold though.
The EM should get things started
Do you make your own ?

Not this time. I'm new to the gardening lifestyle and I'm still in the process of converting my yard to vegetable production. We have a place locally where we can buy compost by the truckload for about $40 per cubic yard. I've bought two truckloads so far for various projects. Both times the compost has been a bit steamy which caused me to have some concern. Even though, I told myself that even though my plants might struggle a bit this year, next year should see stellar results. I hope this holds true. I've added EM and compost worms to all of the beds/containers so it is my hope that time will correct any issues. Also, there is a place on the other side of the island where I can buy a lawn&garden mix from the same company. This mix contains the same compost, screened soil and some fertilizers. I think it would be worth the drive to choose this for any further expansions instead of the straight compost.

Below is the raised bed I was referring to. You can see the pole beans in the center. They looked great when they sprouted but now they're struggling. The carrots in the foreground have only partially sprouted. The turnips on the back side of the beans are likewise, partially sprouted. On the far end is a rosemary and a sage plant I bought from a local nursery. The radishes (closest to the camera) seem to be doing fine.



Here we have the wicking containers. The two large ones were made by splitting an IBC. The other two are from totes. The IBC beds are filled with compost. The tote bed on the right is also filled with compost. The tote with the cage around it was filled with soil/compost purchased by the bag from the local hardware store. Most of the plants in the IBC beds were seedlings before they were placed in the beds. The garlic only recently sprouted.



And here's a shot of the AP area.


Thanks again for any recommendations offered. Again, I think time is the best remedy. Patience is definitely one required trait when it comes to gardening.

great view in the background

_________________
contentment

Indeed. We are truly blessed. This is a shot of our house as taken by Google Earth. Behind us is the Koolau Mountains which are my constant backdrop when attending to my gardening or just sitting here typing and looking out the back window.



Part of my plan for world domination is to convert my front yard to a network of wicking beds. All in due time.

Is there a reason to go wicking beds?
Hawaii is supposed to be covered in great fertile volcanic soil and has lots of consistent rainfall.

I think more control. And yes, we do have consistent rainfall but our soil isn't actually that good. It is inherently lacking in organic matter and doesn't hold moisture well. Even with all the rain we get (71" per year where I am) water can sometimes be an issue due to the rapid drainage. Lawns commonly dry out here if not irrigated.