Correcting High Soil pH and Watering Issues to Fix Misshapen Vegetables and Poor Yields

Last year: great peppers, zucchini, eggplant, pumpkins; tomatoes poor. This year: fewer plants, peppers compact/misshapen, zucchini thin/long, eggplants round/few. New England, soil pH 7.5. Blueberries mulched, some berries.

Multiple Issues

• pH too high for veg: target 6.5 (azalea fertilizer or iron sulfate). Blueberries <6.
• Water: deep, infrequent. Excess moisture locks nutrients, causes stunting/irregular ripening.
• Temp swings: cause incomplete pollination (cat-facing) → misshapen fruit.
• Fertilize monthly: Milorganite or Plant-tone (organic). Holly-tone until pH 6.5.
• Compaction: dig 12"×12" hole, fill with water. <1 hr drain = increase water. >4 hrs = too wet. Check for grubs (>2–3 = treat).