23,948 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening
I'm wondering if it might be the fertilizer. How much did you put down and what kind? Has it rained more than it did last year? Is it hotter? What's in your compost? That sounds like an awful lot of watering to me. I know it is really hot there, but still...
I have had the same problem with raccoons in the past. I am now trying "The Three Sisters." The squash should deter the raccoons.
Here is a link that might be useful: Three Sisters Garden
So i think i am about to have some major pollination issues with my corn. I only plant 8 at a time in 2 sq feet. I always hand pollinate and never have had any issues, but this year it has been raining monsoon style during my pollination period and I can't seem to get any pollen to drop from the tassels. I was able to get a little dust in my glass only one morning and I think I was able to successfully pollinate only one set of silks. Does anyone know if the rain may have actually helped pollinate them by washing the pollen over the silks? by the way Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil
If you can't divert the run off to that location can you haul in dirt and raise the whole elevation of the yard? You'd have to grade it so it sloped away from the house and toward the fence line so that might mean building a low retaining wall of some sort on the outside edge of the patio/sidewalk. A landscape contractor can give you an evaluation, suggestions, and estimate - usually for free.
Dave
You may have better luck in your second year. I'm a big advocate of planting over grass, as it will compost down and create rich soil. But it's always best to give it several months to decompose before planting. I probably would have gone 2' wide at a minimum, though I don't know how much the narrow width will hinder your garden.
I'm in agreement that your wilting is most likely heat. That temp is awfully hot for new plants. If they're turning yellow and wilting, they're getting too much water. If they're staying green and wilting, they're not getting enough water. I always give my plants extra water when the temps go over 90 like they have this week.
:) Thanks All!
This tomato plant is just crazy!
I put manure around it when planted, that has been it. I really have neglected it.
Was planted where a barn/horse stall used to be so maybe that has something to do with the health/growth.
And believe it or not it is just one stalk.....has not rooted anywhere else.
The wind this past week did a real number on it....almost knocked it over (Thank god I had a post behind it to catch it). Some of my other mater plants will be producing in a month so I won't be so upset when the time comes to rip it out.
Jennifer
It does not appear that your peas are close to the 30 percent defoliation level, which is how much damage is needed to affect productivity. The mulch is harboring slugs, earwigs or both, so I'd be inclined to simply do a little first aid by sprinkling diatomaceous earth under the vines between rains. I love peas!
Being an organic gardener, I try to be pro active. By that I mean, I watch the garden for any problems that are just starting and get busy taking care of it before it becomes a bigger problem. I agree with Dave, that the first step is to identify what the pest is. I've had damage from earwigs in the past and couldn't figure it out until I went out with a flashlight at night and then ohâ¦so that's what's been doing it. :-) At that point, I will search the internet for a solution that doesn't require a pesticide. In the case of earwigs, it's a simple cup of soapy water and with a gloved hand, just knocking them off the plant into the soapy water. About four nights of that and I could hardly find an earwig in the garden. End of problem.
Oddly, one instance of not following my own rule to act quickly allowed for a solution without my intervention. Aphids. I kept seeing them and let them build up and the next thing I knew, I started seeing ladybugs in the garden and voila, no more aphids. Aphids also can be controlled by just knocking them off a plant with a stream of water. At this point, I don't worry when I see aphids, ladybugs eat a lot of aphids and I could almost worry that the ladybugs won't get enough food and go somewhere else. lol
If "few" means 2, yes. But no more than that. Many tomatillo plants get huge, bigger than tomato plants.
Personally I'd only plant one per container of that size and group 2 or 3 of them - in separate containers - near each other for better pollination, production, and better control of the nutrients and watering needs.
Dave
Speaking of pest deterrent - small green catipillers are eating our collards and cabbage leaves. Need deterrent suggestions fast! A neighbor suggested a mild soap and water solution sprayed on leaves. Another suggested Neem oil. I'm afraid of the leaves burning/wilting or even killing the plants with either suggestion. Please help
I agree with the others. I doubt that cucumbers would work for deterring pests. Sounds like another one of those things where people read an article about something (in this case about cucumbers having some benefit; possibly against ants), then they re-tell it and it gets misconstrued.
Glo407- They are cabbage worms or loopers. Pick them off and squish them if you don't want to spray. Be on the lookout for the eggs as well and when you see those, remove/squish them. The only deterrent is covering your plants with row covers or tulle. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), which is a type of bacteria, kills them as well.
Rodney
yes, I just got the Surround in the mail yesterday. as soon as the storms move out of the area I plan on spraying all of the vegetables with that. I purchased Take Down spray earlier in the season, which is pyrethrin mixed with canola, but there seems to be some photo-toxicity with that so I am hesitant to use it. I am looking at mixing Serenade and Actinovate with the Surround....still researching that.
Do you think it's too late for bean seeds then, should I look for plants and get them in the ground as soon as possible? My plan is to wait a week or two to plant tomatoe and pepper plants and get some beet and cucumber seeds in the ground this weekend. Do I need to stager plantings, mostly tomatoes and peppers I mean, so all plants don't ripen and provide at the same time. Thanks so much everyone, you been so helpful so far. I really appreciate it.
Do you think it's too late for bean seeds then,
Not at all. Beans prefer warmer soil or they just rot. Even down here we are are just now planting beans. jimmy56 may be in a very different garden zone than you are.
You don't need to stagger plant tomatoes or peppers as even determinate tomato types will produce for the season. Indeterminate types will produce until killed by frost or disease.
Please keep in mind that as mentioned above you need to research how to grow each of these vegetables individually and there are lots of "how to grow ______ in a home garden" info sites. Each vegetable has different needs.
And expect some set backs too and roll with them. It is impossible to learn everything you need to know in 2 weeks or even 2 years.
Dave