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Planting too close to compost bins?
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Posted by dirtmecnanic 7, NTex/DFW (My Page) on Wed, Jan 13, 10 at 15:11
| My compost bins are surrounded on three sides by the veggie garden. I nailed 8' supports to outside of the bin structure and I make a lattice of string between them. I plant pole beans along the base and have drip irrigation to the plants.
This setup for a few years worked great. The last couple of years, however, the beans (almost) wither on the lattice and don't grow or produce many beans. Last year's bean variety was a Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean from Park Seed.
The plants exhibit a curling of the leaves, become grey-green and lifeless. Nearby bush beans perform similarly. I don't know whether I have a bug problem or a disease problem.
Am I setting up a bad situation because of the close proximity of the plants to composting and composted material?? If I am, is it more likely a bug or a disease??
Best regards to all who reply. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Planting too close to compost bins?
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- Posted by jekyll New Zealand (My Page) on
Thu, Jan 14, 10 at 2:32
| Many vegetables love to grow near the compost bin, but beans probably aren't one of them. They don't do well with excess nitrogen and it can make them more vulnerable to disease. I would try planting something that likes the high levels of fertility found next to a compost bin. Cucurbits really like lots of food - if you want something to climb on a structure, maybe a mini pumpkin or a cucumber? Tomatoes may work - you'll have to tie them to the frame but they do sort of climb. You may get a bit much leaf growth, but they should be ok. It's generally a good idea to rotate crops if you can anyway. |
RE: Planting too close to compost bins?
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| It may be that the compost pile kept too much moisture in the soil, or it may be that the compost compacted the soil so the plants roots could not move out, or it may be that the compost limited the amount of air in the soil so the roots could not breath. |
RE: Planting too close to compost bins?
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| I too have found the "soil" in my compost piles to be too rich for beans...and it seems that the more established the compost pile, the more beans don't seem to like it. I have found that the nightshade plants seem to like the close proximity of the compost pile. These plants include tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper and eggplant. Their nutritional needs seem to mirror what they receive from the pile. I also have found that (as mentioned above) that the cucurbits always do well next to my compost pile. |
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