Soil Testing Continued...and Garden planning

Ok- I know I said that I was going to post about the continuation of soil testing yesterday, but I babysat an 8 month old all day and let me tell you, I was tired...I did the testing but chose not post about it. So here is the deal, I took pictures of the testing process, but there are so many steps that it was just a little overwhelming and I think that the moral of the process is, read the directions and interpret the results...I really can't walk you through it.

I totally just sold out. Haha. Each bed had a different problem. I am low on nitrogen in all beds and my ph is basic which surprises the heck out of me.

I have made a garden plan- something I have never done before. In the past, I just planted. This year, I am paying attention to which plants like shade more, which plants should not grow next to which plants, etc. This is a trick of Organic gardening. Certain plants use different nutrients and attract different pests-companion planting helps keep these at bay. Herbs will be staying out of the garden and will be getting their own bed! Hurray.

Ok-so I have a diagram and I am armed with my ph, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium results from each bed. I am headed to the nursery where they will tell me what I need. Hey, I am not expert - I trust the experts!

After correcting the PH, the following will be planted ASAP (please not that I will be planting other things later, these are the April plantings)

Bed #1 (most shaded) - Need to up nitrogen and lower ph from 7 to a 6

• Leaf Lettuce
• Radish
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Beets
• Head Lettuce

Bed #2 (some shade) - Need to up nitrogen and lower ph from 7 to a 6

• Onion
• Carrot

Bed #3 (little shade in morning) - Need to up nitrogen, phosphorus and lower ph from 8 to 6

• Watermelon radish
• Artichoke

Bed #4 - lower ph from 8 to 6.5 and up nitrogen. No plantings yet. 

Bed #5 - I need ph for blueberries to be 4-5 and for raspberries to be 5-6. I will need to chat with the nursery staff for some help on this. 

Wish me luck ladies! Im off to the nursery.