Hi ladies.
I need some help and advice.
For the past 5 years or so I have had garden boxes on the south side of my house, which gets the most sunlight. Because of the tall trees on both my property and the south neighbor's property, the boxes are shaded through the morning but get pretty good afternoon sun. I have attempted, with little success, to grow a garden. I have tried tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and squash. The zucchini and squash died off pretty quick. The tomato and pepper plants grew, but not as much as I know they can (based on previous experience gardening in other homes). I got a few jalapeno peppers, no red or green peppers, and maybe 3 tomatoes one year.
That year, I made sure to water plenty, so I am sure that was not the problem. I have been thinking that maybe the garden doesn't get enough sunlight, especially since I know tomatoes, peppers and squashes are heat lovers. But I have a small herb garden in one box. I have sage, thyme, rosemary and oregano. I also have planted chives and basil. They've all done well. My thyme and sage plants in particular are going gangbusters. So now I'm thinking it's the soil. When I set up the boxes, I bought a cubic yard of regular dirt (not garden soil or anything like that) from a bulk place. I didn't plant a garden last year so my boys have been using it as a sandbox and I've noticed the dirt is pretty compacted, even in the box with the herbs.
Am I right that it's the soil that's the problem and not the sun or water? What would you recommend to "lighten" up what seems to be rather clayey soil? I've also learned that I probably didn't plant my tomatoes deep enough so I will remedy that this year.
Once I get plants in the ground, is it best to just leave the dirt alone except to pull weeds? Or should I gently till around the plants to keep the soil loose?
Thanks for any advice!
Merilee