You might try this on the Gardening site. Seems like a natural fit for this question and we would love to have you visit.
I am not into organics myself so I will not touch that portion of your question. I will mention that beans and peas are legumes. They do not need much nitrogen as they set nitrogen in the soil. Growing peas and beans is a good way to add nitrogen to the soil.
I agree with getting a decent soils test. I have almost no confidence in those kits you buy. They may give general guidelines but I don't find the results to be that accurate. With the composted horse manure, you may have salt levels too high or something that is causing your problems, not necessarily nitrogen levels. A soils test may tell you that. With this happening all at once this year, it would not shock me to find out that you added something you don't want with that horse manure.
What has the weather been like? Cucumbers especially do not like cold weather. Have you had cold nights, not necessarily freezing or frost, but cold? And how warm is your ground? I am about your latitude and I will wait another week or miore likely two before I plant my cucumber, bean, okra, squash, and corn seeds, waiting for the ground to warm up enough for the seeds to sprout. Otherwise they will just rot in the cold ground.
Good luck!
I am not into organics myself so I will not touch that portion of your question. I will mention that beans and peas are legumes. They do not need much nitrogen as they set nitrogen in the soil. Growing peas and beans is a good way to add nitrogen to the soil.
I agree with getting a decent soils test. I have almost no confidence in those kits you buy. They may give general guidelines but I don't find the results to be that accurate. With the composted horse manure, you may have salt levels too high or something that is causing your problems, not necessarily nitrogen levels. A soils test may tell you that. With this happening all at once this year, it would not shock me to find out that you added something you don't want with that horse manure.
What has the weather been like? Cucumbers especially do not like cold weather. Have you had cold nights, not necessarily freezing or frost, but cold? And how warm is your ground? I am about your latitude and I will wait another week or miore likely two before I plant my cucumber, bean, okra, squash, and corn seeds, waiting for the ground to warm up enough for the seeds to sprout. Otherwise they will just rot in the cold ground.
Good luck!
