I've got some stalled plants too.... mostly peppers. I think it's due to the wacky weather -- it was 89F one day last week and then 46F the following night, and we've had many days with rain.... too much rain for June, but in July we aren't always getting enough rainfall to really soak the plants. I'm at the point where I need to do some watering for the first time this year!

any ideas on what can be done? I am so frustrated...spent good $ to try to get a good garden in this year, and I feel like its all going to waste!!

I will see what I can do about getting pics for you...headed out the door right now...seeing the option for video here too..maybe will try that even. Thank you!

Wasn't able to get video yet....cant stand out there long enough without getting chewed alive! This is just before I watered the garden, even though I'm not sure it needed it :/ looks dry on top, but underneath is damp...

'Scuse the weeds...it's been a week since I've been able to get out there.

FYI, all these plants have been in the ground 5 weeks plus (we got a very late start...could that have anything to do with it?) Just so frustrated...we didn't have these problems last year!!!

Thank you for talking with me!!!

Hi Stephanie -- The pics are fine and video isn't required. Hopefully we can figure something out...

Five weeks ago for planting out means mid/late June and that is a fairly late start here (I'm smack in the middle of the state, Z5, and try to plant out around June 1). Approximately where are you located "upstate" and what are your soil and weather conditions? Just wondering if you're in the colder north or warmer southern regions, which can be two zones apart. Also wondering if you've had normal temps and rainfall for the growing season?

Your lawn is lush, so I'm guessing you've had plenty of rainfall. Your soil looks like it might contain a lot of clay. If the garden soil surface was dry, but it's damp beneath the surface, I doubt if it needed water. The soil surface looks like it's suffered from lots of water. It's not compacted, is it? If you have available materials for mulching (like cut grass, last year's leaves, or even cardboard), it will help keep the surface from drying out, shorten your weeding time, and feed the soil for next year.

Do you keep track of rainfall to know that the garden is getting an inch of water each week? A rain gauge is helpful for tracking and knowing when to water. Of course it's going to be a hot week here, so extra watering may be necessary.

Provided you aren't having problems with temperature extremes, I suspect that monitoring the watering and mulching/feeding the plants would get them growing fast. If you're staying organic, try to get a big bag of alfalfa pellets (cheaper at a big farm & feed store), sprinkle it around the plants in the garden and water it down. Watering is so that the pellets will absorb moisture and expand and break down before they attract things like rabbits to eat them. lol!

Meant to say if you aren't staying organic then Miracle Grow plant food should do the trick.

Sorry I haven't answered sooner, but work has kept me busy this
week! The joys of working for NYS. I think you are right on so many of
the points you made. We are located near Lake Placid. Definitely have
not had normal temps or rainfall at all, but through it all we have been
trying our best to care for the garden as best we can, and it seems we
are failing.

The soil does have a lot of clay. I checked it this
afternoon before I started getting eaten alive even with bug spray on,
and it doesn't seem compacted. We have a pile of leaves that now that
you have said that, I will be throwing on the garden when it is done for
the year...we are also thinking of tilling in peat moss and/or throwing
hay over it for the winter...good ideas or no?We have not been
good about keeping track of rainfall at all, though I know I've seen a
rain gauge around here somewhere...will have to dig it out. The last 3
weeks I know for sure we have gotten more than enough rain to last the
rest of the summer! LOL I went out the other day and sprinkled a garden
fertilizer on it, waiting to see if it helps any. Really hard to get
out there and weed when I have to stop every other second and scratch or
smack a skeeter...with all the rain they are crazy here and seem immune
to the bug spray!

I agree with using mulch. Heavy rains followed by sunny days can harden and dry the surface. Mulch helps to control the moisture levels and prevent hardening. You can use mulched leaves or spread a light layer of grass clippings(as long as you don't treat your lawn with any chemicals).

As for stunted growth, when you first planted your vegetables, did they experience any temps at or below freezing? I have a couple of tomato plants that are very stunted and I suspect it's because they were subjected to cold temps. This can cause a plant to go dormant.

Also, are those cucumbers in that one pic? They are heavy feeders. What do you do in terms of replenishing the nutrients in your garden soil every year?

Just so you know, a lot of those granular fertilizers are slow release and are usually applied prior to planting. A liquid fertilizer would be better.

Chris

Thank you both for your advice! We are going to try your suggestions and see what happens!!

No problem.

I am a fairly new gardener, but this site draws a lot of great garden pros. I recommend posting in the "Vegetable Gardening" forum in the future. There is A LOT more activity there and people here are always willing to help and have excellent advice.

Good luck!