I live in an urban setting with a very small space for a garden though I suspect if I find the right fertilizer I would dramatically increase yields. It's the stunted and slow growth that's impeding my success and from all my research, nitrogen seems to be my Achilles' Heel.
No Lowes near me. Only Home Depot. I'll see what they have and ask at garden nurseries.
Thank you. I greatly appreciate your help.
If you have any experience with watermelon, tips and best varieties that grow quickly, let me know.
You can also order chicken manure from Amazon. I imagine Wal-Mart would carry it too or maybe order it for you.
In an urban area the topsoil was probably removed during the grading and building process.
In the studies in Alabama and Georgia they specifically tested ground that had all topsoil removed.
They tested cow, horse and chicken manure as well as manmade chemical fertilizers.
The manures were much more effective, and cheaper in the long run, than the equivalent amount of chemical fertilizers.
The fields treated with chicken manure reached usable (for agriculture) levels in 2 years, peak in 4 years.
Other manure took longer and had more weed infestation.
Growing up we had 100 laying hens. We always used the chicken manure on our garden areas.
We used to grow melons but as time went by we started buying from fruit stands as the melons grown in the Carolinas matured before ours started growing good.
Try one of the Sugar Baby varieties. Smaller, use less space and ripen quicker. Tasty too.