So disappointed I could actually cry...

[Chicks_N_Horses]

As a serious plant nut, I am sorry for your loss!!

Just go out and get some started plants as mentioned, then you will still have a nice garden!

I planted some giant purple zinnias and they were popping up so great and looking good. I was really excited about them. Haven't done purples yet....well.....my 2 year old goes looking under rocks for a 'bibbit' (bullfrog) and trampled them down. I think a couple might make it...It was a bummer for sure.....

 

[claud]

I vote for the started plants too. I never have much luck with those fragile, helpless little seedlings either.

We can't "safely" plant things out here until - most people say - memorial day. Although I'm always anxious and put plants out and then I'm running out there in the dark covering them with blankets and stuff because I just saw the weather report calling for frost.

Go buy some plants, replant(when weather is good), water, water, water and enjoy!

 

[AK_Button_Mama]

I had such bad luck last year that I am bathtub gardening this year! I bought tomatoes and basil and I am keeping it in the unused bathroom that I call a brooder room. I hung a shop light with a plant bulb in there... I am hoping for at least 1 big healthy tomato this year... I want to make a mater samich... I aint askin much but 1 mater!!!

I also discovered via a oldtimer that tomatoes dont like COLD water. so part of why I was not having luck last year was I had been using the water hose and the water that comes outta there is 36 degrees even in the dead of summer here! and the green house told me to fertilize every watering. they saisd 1/4 strength what the box calls for!

I just sowed my cold weather crops (which is all I have had any remote luck with is cold weather crops. course what I call hot is freezing cold to most of you guys. it was 65 degrees today. wow hoo
I am just waiting for a frost or a snow outta no place again! blagh!

 

[ChickieNikki]

THANK YOU for everything!

I dried my tears and asked my experienced gardener neighbor where to buy started plants--he said there is a super cheap farm stand selling beautiful plants 5 miles from here--I'm going tomorrow to pick them up and put them in--the rows of worked dirt/compost are already there, with a few extra dead plants to work in, too!

Plus this minor setback gave me the evening to browse around and change my mind about what to plant--it's going to be a baby food garden, with all varieties of veggies that I can steam and process for Remy--and also a canning garden, for canning vegetable soup, chili, jams, jellies, tomato sauces and pickles!

Thanks again for the great advice and cheerful hugs--you're the greatest!

 

[kathyinmo]

I killed my whole garden last year, except the zuccini. I am awful at gardening. I keep trying. My garden grew well, then it suddenly just quit .... and then died. What is, "hardening off?" Thanks.

 

[NanaKat]

"Hardening off" is a process of getting your seedlings which have been under grow lights or from a nursery to a point where they are used to the weather outside and the winds that will kill them. This helps toughen their stems too.

Over a week or two, you set your trays of plants in the shade in a protected area first and bring them back in at night. Then you begin to set them in part sun and bring in if the weather is harsh. Next comes full sun and maybe staying outside. When your plants have spent several days in full sun and spent the night outside for as long, then you can plant them in the garden.

Plants that have been outside at a nursery probably will only need a week of hardening off. I always harden off my purchased plants and this gives me a chance to check for little insect or virus problems before I set them out.

 

[mrsengeseth]

I'd be locked up for sure with how many rounds of cucumbers I have killed this season! Don't let it get you down, experienced and new gardeners alike all have setbacks. As long as yuo get right back up and try again, it's all good. Just keep trying.

 

[Im4dabirds]

Don't give up! Replant, replant, replant. I'm an experienced gardener and have grown some great gardens in years past, but last year I had a total flop. Moved to a new house, new garden, and didn't get a chance to work it first. Terrible garden, didn't get a darn thing out of it. But I worked it over all summer, fall and winter, started my plants under grow lights and I've already picked lettuce, cabbage, peas and radishes, and will have green beans to pick by next week and tomatoes before long as well. My corn is hip high already. Course I'm in the sunny south, but it's definitely not too late for you to plant. I've seen gardens here that have been planted within the past week or so.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

I know tons of master gardeners and I have even taken the classes myself and I still do things I shouldn't. Just try and have fun while you do it.

If ya want to try something new and have some fun next year do a google search on Winter sowing of seeds. Ya start playing with dirt and seeds in December. It is fun and it works. And ya don't have to be an experianced gardener.