We've never got anything to grow.

[journey11]

To add to the pile of good recommendations you've already gotten...

Do you have an ag. extension agency for your county? Look in the phone book or call 411. They will be able to give you information tailored to your area and its specific growing conditions.

Also, if your soil is very poor to begin with and you're only growing a small garden, you may want to consider raised beds or container gardening which will give you more control over your soil quality. Can't hardly go wrong with a bag of Miracle gro (or equivalent off-brand) potting soil!

 

[bills]

Soil conditions, PH, and proper watering methods play a huge roll, as others have suggested, but there is another important factor, as I have found out.

Your choice of seed, or seedlings if bought from a nursery, can also play an important role in production. There is a huge variety of seeds available these days, for all veggies, but not all of them grow great everywhere. Some are very particular to their environment.
Beefeater tomato's for instance will produce excellent crops in some areas, while others they do poorly. Certain corn crops will do better than others, depending on the zone they are grown in. It's the same for most vegetable species.

Figure out what climate zone your in, and research what veggie seeds are best for that zone. Even then it's sometimes a bit of an experiment that takes a few years to figure out. Seed catologues are a great way to get started in determining what may be best for your area.
Do not always depend on what the local garden centre has on the seed rack, or the seedlings they may have for sale. They don't always have the correct seeds/seedlings for your zone. It's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether they will do good if you simply pick a few. Instead, order specific seeds in the winter, direct from the seed companys.

As I said, it may still take a few years to see what actually does best for your particular property. There are many micro-climates. Your particular plants may do great, while the same plant, planted two miles away may do poorly. Try planting a variety each year, and keep notes on which ones do best, and then stick to those!

Keep records on where you plant things in your garden from year to year, and try to rotate where you plant things. Rotating crops can play a roll in production as well. If your planting tomatos in the same patch of soil year after year, you should expect some decline.
It can be done, but usually requires supplemental chemical fertilizing, such as with commercial growers. You can rebuild the soil if your garden space is limited, (and you have no choice). This comes back to soil conditioning.

Good luck!

 

[Ariel301]

Also, if your soil is very poor to begin with and you're only growing a small garden, you may want to consider raised beds or container gardening which will give you more control over your soil quality. Can't hardly go wrong with a bag of Miracle gro (or equivalent off-brand) potting soil!

If I was doing my garden again, that is exactly what I would do. Poor soil is a big frustrating challenge sometimes.

What bills says about things growing differently even from one garden to the next in the same area is so true! My sister-in-law has the same tomatoes I do, just a few miles away, and hers are doing wonderfully while mine are dying and have produced nothing. Even though we live in the same town, our soils are completely different.