Leggy direct-sown seedlings

16 years ago

Hey everyone,

I have a quick question about some issues I've been having with root vegetables. This is my first year gardening, and I've been really pleased with how the square foot approach has turned out. However, I've had several root vegetables--especially radishes and rutabagas--produce long, leggy seedlings when direct sown that never really produce much of a root. I was wondering what sort of factors could contribute to this: am I maybe planting the seeds too deep? Do I need to add a little more soil to make sure they're not trying to come up above the lip of the square foot bed? (the soil line is probably an inch below the lip right now). Is there anything else I ought to think about that could be causing this? Thanks.

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Comments (6)

kathmcd7
16 years ago
I have the same problem with some vegs. I'm also interested in what other sqf gardeners think. I thought it might be how much sun and what part of the day they get sun, but am not sure. I don't like wasting my time and the space when it happens. Good question.
Kath
curt_grow
16 years ago
I have a kinda quick answer. Temperature
It would help a bit if you could put down a state of residence.

Curt
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kathmcd7
16 years ago
I am in Las Vegas, NV. Temperatures have been really hot this summer, with the hottest July on record. I plant in areas with some shade, and some areas with shade cloth overhead. This is our fall planting time and I've already had leggy beets, carrots and radishes. I've been told if it's under 80 degrees at night we can plant. Any help would be appreciated.
jonnygreenwood
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey Curt,

I'm in western North Carolina, in the mountains. We've had a very hot summer, but right now temperatures are around the mid 80's during the day and the mid 60's at night. It definitely seems like a lot of my newly direct sown seedlings (fall vegetables--not just the leggy root vegetables mentioned above, but various greens and brassicas) are not sprouting and growing all that well, especially compared to my experiences with starting seeds this spring.
curt_grow
16 years ago
Well I to have some problems in the heat and dry of summer Lettuce will not even germinate If the ground is to hot. To get around the problems I suggest you plant small amounts or just a square or two at a time and a week or two later plant again if something is not growing pull it out and replant the square. My big thing is carrots I just love fall carrots but they need a lot of care and our weather is not good for them. I brought that up because this year I will not have fall carrots They just would not go. I hope this helps some. maybe a member close to your area will chime in as I am a long way north to be of much help

Curt
kathmcd7
16 years ago
I think a contributing factor is how the soil compresses. When I add more compost, the soil fluffs up. As I water, it becomes compressed. I'm going to try watering for a few days first, and then plant my seeds. I'll let you know if it makes a difference.
Kath