How trustworthy are the electronic PH devices? My PH is reading approximately 6. My local nursery told me that I was overwatering, so I reduced that greatly to once or twice per week (and have been using the same electronic device to measure moisture content).

I put a pair of very tall raised beds on top of the asphalt in my backyard; 24" deep. I used 1 part leaf compost, 1 part composted cow manure, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part vermiculite. I put landscaping paper on the bottom of the beds to keep the mixture from washing out.

I transplanted healthy plants into the bed, initially 1st two weeks, everything looked happy an even seemed to grow. A few fruit set. Since then, 8-weeks it has been stagnant. (By comparison, I threw a few extra plants into the untreated soil in my far back and those are doing very well). Very leggy and anemic looking. Few leaves on peppers, no growth really on the tomatoes, Basil an Cilantro very thin, cucumber and melon stiff and not growing. Lost 3 strawberry plants.

Beds get great light 10-5.

Any ideas? Should I apply lime? Get a professional soil test?