what have the night time temps been? I doubt there is anything wrong with your growing mix.

I just started SFG and built my first three beds. I've had the same problem. Some of my Romaine Lettuce seems fine, some a bit wilted, and two of them seem to have completely laid down. For the last few nights since I planted the lettuce the temperature has been about 60 degrees. I'm pretty sure my mix is dead on and the soil has stayed moist.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3697/southbedpv7.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8211/northbedel0.jpg

Thanks,
Ben

Hi Blunter, I am thinking that it seems too wet. On some I loosened the soil around them but just can not figure it out. My second box has two less wheelbarrows of compost and the broccoli and squash there looks okay. So now I am watching things a few more days to see what happens to the new lettuce and spinach I put in the first (trouble box). I planted them yesterday morning and even this morning they looked okay but now this evening the lettuce is looking wilty.

junie

You could try mixing a little sand in each square. It sounds like your mix is fantastic, but there might not be enough drainage because it has so much organic matter. The vermiculite will hold water too. Soil needs some non-organic particulate too.

Also, was the bat guano composted/rotted? It can have heavy ammonia levels if it wasn't, which might give you some problems.

Did you seed your lettuce or were they transplants? I've never had much luck with transplants. The direct seeded plants seem to be much hardier.

Keep us posted and don't give up!

Thanks Green devo, I can use the encouragement as I was so excited and am having some disappointments right along. the bat guano was composted as all was but I keep thinking about the drainage and you are probably right. I believe I added a couple of more wheelbarrows of horse manure compost)old)and my own leaf compost. On top it seems dry but under neath it is wet and seems a little compact but easily worked so I loosened it a little. One thing I was worrying about was that I doubled the weed cloth thinking to save headaches later as it was one that said was good for 5 years. Humph! well Now I am covering all the bed because of our cold night temps for these few days in SC. upstate. I just left it on today. If you think it would help I could add more vermiculite or perlite. I dont know maybe the sand you mentioned. Junie

Thanks for the information everyone. I think you're right about over watering junie2. I let off on watering for the last 2 days and everything is looking better.

Thanks again,
Ben

By the way, I have been covering my plants at night also. It's been under 32 degrees at night here in Ohio. Do you think giant black garbage bags cut down the side and placed over the 3' X 3' beds with boards laid on all four edges is OK?

Thanks,
Ben

I think the black plastic is fine but maybe take it off during the day. I didn't take my plastic off today but it is that clear kind. I was not sure if it hurts them or not. it is getting really cold tonight and tomorrow night then starts warming again. Junie

Also, if you're mulching around your plants with weed cloth or anything else for that matter, make sure there's enough room around it that it doesn't touch your plants. Mulch touching the stems is the kiss of death to most little plants. They'll rot like crazy. I made a cover for my plants with some clear painters plastic ( about a $1.99 at home depot for tons of it) and some salvaged fencing wire. I stuck the whole thing together with my most favourite invention - clear duct tape!

Junie_2, I live in Pickens County and we had it pretty cold for two nights. 24 one night and 26 the next or vice versa. I had my lettuce and kale and spinach out, the plants were quite small, but nothing got hurt except some squash that froze solid. Your mix might be retaining too much water. I used Black Cow, Worm castings from a nearby worm farm, Potting mix and peat moss and everything is doing fine. I am in containers as I am a new convert to SFG and have not changed over, but my containers are just about the right size to be SFG and are 8" deep. I will post some pics later if I can figure out how.