Everything dies!

[red horse ranch]

Since you are in Florida I wonder if your soil and/or water is high in salt. I've had problems with too much salt in our water and it kills a lot of the plants we've tried to grow.

 

[Mimiruu]

ugh, you are all so awesome! I am now getting excited for spring to try all these new tools I have in my brain belt.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Soon2BChixMom: Thank you for the advice! I have been checking out the zone listed on the back of the packages of plants. I did check out the website, I made a list... then unfortunately never looked at it again. I want to grow vegetables (Soooo badly!).

I would try going to a gardening center nearby and pick out plants that are already growing. Unless, you are planting heirlooms, there is no reason why you can't start with plants. I only plant a few things by seeds - zucchini, cucumber, peas, etc. Also, the gardening center (not Wal-Mart, but a local one) should carry plants that are viable for your area. As well, you should be able to ask for advice. Or reach out to the local extension office, they should be able to direct you to someone with an abundance of knowledge regarding plants in your area (look up master gardener for your area - you should be able to find someone willing to help).
Here is a tip I learned regarding tomato plants, when you get them, dig the hole as deep as the stem is long and plant that tomato plant all the way up to the top leaves. It will make for a stronger root system. I would only water once per day and only if there has been no rain recently. A plant needs like 4" of water or something like that per week. So, if you get a good rain, the plants might not need watered for a few days or so.
You are in FL - did you get the cold snap? The plants will not like that if you had just started. You would have needed to cover them to prevent frost and such. I'm not sure when you started planting though.

 

[Mimiruu]

Soon2BChixMom: Thank you! I was trying to be such a superstar I did everything through seeds!

 

[dunnmom]

I'm going to start my 2nd vegetable garden this year. My first was, well, interesting. I made a lot of first-timer mistakes and although I didn't have a total failure, I learned some about what not to do. Here's 10.

1. Don't let volunteer plants take over half your bed. Especially grape tomatoes.
2. Don't let rabbits eat your young seedlings.
3. Don't wait until last minute to plant.
4. Don't let your salad greens get too big, or they'll bolt and take up way too much room.
5. Don't assume organic gardening is easy.
6. Don't plant too much of things you don't eat a lot of.
7. Don't just leave insect eggs on your plants, unless you're sure they are a beneficial species.
8. Don't let tomato hornworms scare you with their freaky faces and clacking.
9. Don't water your garden in shorts and short sleeves, especially in the evening. Mosquitos!
10. Don't use too much fertilizer. You get too much greenery, not enough flowering.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Another thing I thought of is if you are starting plants in a house or green house then transplanting directly without hardening off the plant. Plants when germinated outside develop a cuticle of resistance to wind and heat. They need a transition time of developing this if they were started indoors. I’ve never been good at it so I’ve quit starting seeds in my home.

 

[Mimiruu]

bogtown chick: I started them outside for the most part. I started my zucchini inside and it got so close to growing zucchini. I did get radishes now that I think about it! So not EVERYTHING died!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Ok well that’s a good sign on hot compost. My kolarabi and radishes did burn up when I had too raw of compost! Interesting. More lime doesn’t hurt but leaning towards too much water now. Or that salt thing...?

 

[Mimiruu]

I watered everyday, I just assumed with the florida heat I would need it. I take it as a learning experience now!

 

[Chullicken]

Kind of new at gardening like I never have done it! I did watch a video by some Aussie last night that gave a cool list of garden plants that practically grow themselves with out our help. Some radishes and Asian Lettuce type things. Going to try it this year as I have low light conditions where I live in the woods.