Christopher Ro

Thank you for the input. The compost is free from the city of Berkeley. It is what they make from the organic materials bins they pick up with the trash and recycling every week. Since it is readily available I use a lot of it. These beets are planted in almost nothing but this. I have had good results with it, but yes I have had it repel water! The other things I add are grass and leaves as well as some kitchen scraps mostly coffee grinds and egg shells.

Hello,

My soil, (which is mostly straight compost) gets hard and crusty after a while. Any suggestion how to counter this? Usually it is covered in mulch but right now for instance I have a bunch of seedling beets coming up making it difficult to mulch. I would prefer to not have to buy anything . Thank you!