No nutrients in soil?

[OverWyreGrower]

Since my greenhouse has now flooded twice, its pretty obvious that the water has leached all the nutirents out of the soil.

The soil in there is still (in places) liquid mud, or soggy, soggy soil. There has been some moss growing on top which I have removed.

My tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are looking rather drab and lifeless, and I suspect they're not getting enough nutrients.

I have some liquid seaweed feed, but am reluctant to water it in, as the ground is so sodden already.

What else (if anything) can I do?

What could I do in autumn to help my soil recover?

Cheers

OWG

[Madasafish]

If it was floodwater, lots of nutrient in that.. mainly sewage:-(

[OverWyreGrower]

Our flood water was only rain. We're right on the water table next to the coast, so when it rains hard, the water has nowhere to go (dig about a foot down, and you hit sand!)

[Alison]

I apply a mist of seaweed solution to the leaves of my crops, seems to work well and would be OK for you.

[Snadger]

I would agree with Alison that foliar feeding is the way to go in this instance.

I don't know how high the floodwater was but would raised beds help for future? If you are stuck with what you have a cheap soil analysis test would ascertain the nutrient levels and you could feed accordingly.

Hope everything works out ok for you!

[rustylady]

I would think the main problem is that your plants roots are waterlogged, so the plants are literally drowning and can't take up any available nutrients. If you can't improve drainage in the short term you may well lose your plants. For the future, raised beds may help.

[wellie]

My thoughts entirely Alison.... (and Snadger!) the nutrients will be absorbed by the plant tissues. I do hope though, that the plants aren't 'too far gone' (as in drowned at the roots) for the plants to be saved at all? I'm really sorry this has happened to you...

[Alice]

I think you've had good advice OWG. I would go for the foliar feed this year, and think about raising the beds for the future. Hope it all works out well for you.

[Alice]

I think you've had good advice OWG. I would go for the foliar feed this year, and think about raising the beds for the future. Hope it all works out well for you.

[OverWyreGrower]

I've done a "seaweed mist" on them.... sounds like a beauty treatment!

We're due to replace the soil in the greenhouse sooner rather than later, so I think we'll be making raised beds in there, just in case, for next time.

We're also planning on raising the beds in the allotment slightly too, since that's also waterlogged.

Thanks for your advice everyone!

[nick the grief]

Hi OWG,

While you are at it, if you can dig out under the path & back fill with some hardcore then relay your path on this that way it will act as a soak away for excess water. I've had the same trouble in my greenhouse this year ans that hasn't flooded but the ground is soooo wet it's untrue.

I'm going to borrow a rotavator I think & add a shi.... er shed load of grit into the bed to lighten it up I think.

The small greenhouse has flooded a couple of times but I'going to dig the floor out and harcore & concrete it all bar one bed i think.