What did you do in the garden today?

[tripletfeb]

For the second year in a row, my lettuce, spinach, and carrots aren't doing anything! I usually have no issues growing the carrots at least. The only thing I changed is their location in the garden. It's a raised bed, about 4 feet by 30 feet. Filled with what we call black gold. It's a mix of yard waste that the next town over collects and they let it compost. Then give it away free. My tomatoes, onions, beans, and strawberries are all doing wonderfully! Any ideas on what the issue could be with the slacker veggies? Weather has been hot and sunny with rain at night. And we have a fence around the yard and garden so no one can come in and snack

 

[pennyJo1960]

Might try a different soil I had a year of none but year after added more back of chicken soil mine are sprouting great

 

[tripletfeb]

Might try a different soil I had a year of none but year after added more back of chicken soil mine are sprouting great

I've had this garden with this soil for almost ten years. We have added and fertilized the soil over the years but I've only had these issue the last two years. Before that, I had so many carrots, I probably canned 100 pints!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Then not sure what to tell you

 

[Acre4Me]

I've had this garden with this soil for almost ten years. We have added and fertilized the soil over the years but I've only had these issue the last two years. Before that, I had so many carrots, I probably canned 100 pints!

Sun exposure, wind- any differences?

new soil? Maybe it came with “bugs” that are problematic in the soil.

any small holes indicating something living in the bed?

 

[Sally PB]

That said, I do weed the outer edges of the rows still and I try to weed thoroughly while the plants are small and there's still exposed ground between them.

My taters are still little plants, so I'll be in there to weed for a few weeks yet. I was thinking I was way late on planting them, even though it was about the usual time I do. I was GLAD I hadn't planted earlier; our late frost in May (May 29th! ) nipped all the leaves that were showing.

I've never had much success with onions, but I'm hoping this is the year. How do I know when they are ready to harvest? Do the leaves die back like garlic?

On onions, I just leave in the ground until either I need some, or the leaves all die back. I leave potatoes in the ground until the plants are entirely dead; I let the ground store them for me, as conditions are ideal down there. I just dig as needed until then.

 

[Sueby]

@TJAnonymous how is your girl?

For garlic it's usually July around here when ready - I take a feel around under the dirt when 2 or 3 leaves have turned brown & see if they've started to bulge out or I just dig one up & take a look.

For onions I wait till the tops die & fall over & it looks like someone stepped all over the onions, lol. For both onions & garlic I don't water them the last couple of weeks so the ground is easier to pull them out & they are drier.

This is my first year with shallots but I would imagine it's the same as onions, when the tops die. I can see them getting big under there already! But I think it's more like mid to late summer for them to be ready around here, but that's just a guess.

 

[Acre4Me]

On onions, I just leave in the ground until either I need some, or the leaves all die back. I leave potatoes in the ground until the plants are entirely dead; I let the ground store them for me, as conditions are ideal down there. I just dig as needed until then.

Same here. But, like @BReeder! Haven’t had great success with onion. Last year used the little bulbs/starts. This year started all from seed, but got them in the ground later than I wanted. The ones I planted earliest are looking good so far. I have one day-neutral type and one long-day type (appropriate for the more northern areas).

potatoes. Wow!! Mine are at least 2 feet tall now. One type in full bloom, another type starting with buds, the third isn’t as tall, nor as full, nor with buds. But, the third type is determinate whereas the first two are indeterminate. As soon as plant has died back, and brown I’ll dig some fresh potatoes here and there. However, normally will leave them in the ground for awhile before digging all and letting them cure before storing.

 

[TJAnonymous]

@TJAnonymous how is your girl?

Sadly, she did not make it. I tried so hard to save her but it just wasn't meant to be...

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Sorry for your loss @TJAnonymous. Another hot and muggy day here in New England. We did get a bit of rain and a little cool down but fortunately the big thunderstorm cells missed us. This is supposed to be the last day of the heatwave. It's been 5 days now. Ugh!. No new munching in the corn patch today. Hopefully it all continues growing well so I can get the pole/string beans planted. Considering the yo-yo temperatures we have had over the past few weeks I dug up the lima bean patch, amended the soil with aged cow manure and planted the last packet of lima bean seeds. I kept the two plants that actually came up and used them as row markers. It's only about 12 feet but hopefully they will do better this time. I have 3 potato plants that are developing buds. All the plants look healthy. I did some weeding and cultivating in the kale, carrot and chard bed. That one is doing quite well. The kale isn't thrilled with the heat we've been having but I'm sure they will respond to the promised cooler temps. The lettuce is still looking good with no signs of bolting yet. I need to plant more radishes and carrots soon. I picked most of what was left in the cucumber bed. I managed to get a couple of pictures of the littles from the chicken coop camera. The one where they are asleep on top of the brooder plate was cute. They were fighting sleep and kept bobbing theirs head up but they finally all zonked out. Have a nice day all!