Ambitious certified black thumb- I’m in over my head SOS pls send help

[Kiki]

Morning! Might I recommend that since you have raised beds and you are descibing using a commercial dirt preparation, that you add greensand, or vital nutrients? When we moved, I had to begin beds all over again, and the time it takes for the microbiome to grow can really hinder immediate planting and sufficient optimization of nutrients. I would even do this before composting as it also takes time and in my experience, is best to install compost in new beds in the fall the first time so that it has a winter to decompose. Worms are a must also, as suggested. My hubs is from LA, and also notes that you may need some small rocks if you do not have them mixed in the dirt, in order to make sure that there is sufficient drainage for the typical extra rain water. As to the greensand, sometimes they can be located at your local feed store, usually in a large quantity or you can purchase some here: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/greensand-fertilizer ....a bag per bed would be best initially. Best of luck and let me know how it goes! Since you are working with kids, you might also want to research some pyramid information and experiement with how very tall your tomatoes will grow under a simple 4 stick, 7 foot tall pyramid!

Your link:

 

[greengirl1961]

Sorry, did not get the whole link in there....It is: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/greensand-fertilizer/07-207.html

 

[CapricornFarm]

Sorry, did not get the whole link in there....It is: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/greensand-fertilizer/07-207.html

Sounds like Azomite but much more expensive. I got my 44 lbs in the mail yesterday!

 

[Kiki]

Sorry, did not get the whole link in there....It is: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/greensand-fertilizer/07-207.html

 

[campingshaws]

Morning y’all.

So my sunflower seedlings have gotten “leggy,” and I only know that because I looked it up. Is there any way to save them or do I just need to start over? I can move them onto the porch in a dog cage to keep them safe from animals, but will they recover?

Also my strawberries look awful. I’m not sure what I did wrong.

















And so it begins.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Morning y’all.

So my sunflower seedlings have gotten “leggy,” and I only know that because I looked it up. Is there any way to save them or do I just need to start over? I can move them onto the porch in a dog cage to keep them safe from animals, but will they recover?

Also my strawberries look awful. I’m not sure what I did wrong.

















And so it begins.

If they are leggy, they need more light. Maybe if you post a picture of the strawberries we can make suggestions.

 

[lazy gardener]

The secret to growing good seedlings is: don't crowd them. Give them LOTS and LOTS of light, and give them an occasional dose of very dilute liquid fertilizer and epsom salt. And not too much heat! Once they are up, cool them off a bit.

You may be able to redeem some of your plants by transplanting them into DEEP pots, burying most of their stem. Hopefully, they'll develop new roots along the length of the stem.

 

[campingshaws]

Strawberries: one was mangled by the puppy. The two outside ones look sickly. The inside one looks ok.

Outside:

Inside:

Puppy:

 

[campingshaws]

Seedlings:

 

[CapricornFarm]

Strawberries: one was mangled by the puppy. The two outside ones look sickly. The inside one looks ok.

Outside:
View attachment 1275969
View attachment 1275970

Inside:
View attachment 1275974

Puppy:
View attachment 1275973

The second one looks like the leaves are rotting! Maybe too much rain?