Post Vacation Garden Failure?? Thoughts

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Heya,

For those who don't know - I relatively new to all this. I attempted to start from seed and transplant outdoor. Tomatoes suffered (had to do transplant cuttings - didn't go well). Then I went on vacation from May 10 until May 23 - so I took the risk and planted my veggies outside.

Of note:

1- I planted everything deeply

2- They suffered through 2 frosts and 1 freeze that I know of (prior to my departure)

3- The weather SUCKED while I was gone - lows of 40s and highs of 60s. Horrible weather compared to last year! The weather hasn't been kind.

4-There was rain + sun while I was gone - just the temp sucked

5- The weather will get better from now on - 10 day forecast all into the mid 70s

6- Yes - I got a ton of weeds - will weed this weekend... just exhausted came from from vacation on Wednesday at 5AM, then work on Thursday....

So I guess I need help figuring out what's a lost cause? What won't produce -so I can buy bigger transplants.

1- Beans - Pretty sure they are a lost cause. They were GORGEOUS and massive prior to planting them into the ground. Now they look weak.

2- Peas... they are doing "okay"... but they look the same as they did 2 weeks + ago oO

3- Eggplants - they look weak... and worse than they did 2 weeks ago. Not sure if they will recover - and even if they did I doubt they will be fruitful - thoughts?

4- Peppers... they look worse - again I planted them deeply... they just look bad I think. But I'm a newbie so I don't really know. I mean I doubt they will be fruitful this season

5- My tomatoes... are moody. They are split exactly in 1/3. 1/3 that are tiny.. and I should just pluck out I THINK (see first picture). Ones that are recovering but not sure if they will be productive this year... any thoughts (see second picture)... and ones that look strangely enough HEALTHY oO???? (third picture). I almost wonder if it's the variety or the ground quality since one side seems healthier... but I don't know

Oh and yes I kinda planted some of them close by because I assumed ZERO chance of recovery.Anyway - any advice/thoughts are appreciated!!

As always thanks guys

Featured Answer

rgreen48

9 years ago

If your weather improves, I think you'll be fine. The beans look the worst, and you probably have time to replant those.

The tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant all look fine considering the weather you described.

You may not have a bumper year, but I don't think it's as bad as you think.

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Comments (8)

digdirt2
9 years ago
Location?

There is really no way for us to know what is a lost cause or what might be salvageable without seeing the plants. A photo might help but can also be very misleading on plant condition and still just a best guess. Did you cover them against the frost and freezes before you left?.

From all the horrors you describe I have to say go buy transplants if you want any assurance of production this year. Especially tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (if you can still find them).

Depending on your location is may well be too late to plant somethings like peas. Beans can easily be directed seeded as that is better for them anyway.

Dave

PS: you mention pics but I don't see any.
mystearica
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry for some reason my post was a mess - the pictures didn't go through - I reposted the pictures in the first post again. Hope it gives you guys a better idea - if not I can take more pictures
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digdirt2
9 years ago
Yeah those don't look bad except for the beans and you can easily just replant them. The peas can be pulled and pitched. But the peppers look ok if the weather cooperates. The tomatoes are probably ok too except too close together. Probably too late to move any of them now. The eggplant are a little iffy but you have plenty of them so again if the weather settles some of them at least should do fine.

Dave
otcay
9 years ago
Peppers and tomatoes don't mind having a good part of the stem buried if planted deeply so if there's any setback it's not the depth of planting.
laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
Tomatoes and eggplant are MUCH too close together.
Labradors
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think they look ok, and will be fine with some warmer weather. Perhaps you can get in there with a shovel and remove some of the plants.

If you don't have enough garden space, eggplants and peppers can always be grown in containers (but you have to use "potting mix" rather than soil.)

Peppers can grow two close together, then a space of 12" or so, then two together.

Tomatoes definitely need more room, at least 18" all around (and that is close and you would need to prune to one stem).

In all cases, you could choose the biggest/healthiest plant to leave and remove those around it, either by digging very carefully, or pulling up (sacrificing) some smaller ones.

Good luck,

Linda
spartanapples
9 years ago
Not sure where you are at but at least you got something in the ground this year. I am in S. WI and have nothing planted. Soil wet so unable to even dig up the garden. Rain forecast for most of this weekend and more for next week. My heavy clay soil takes a long time to dry out after a rain so doubtful I can get anything planted before June this year.

My tomatoes I started from seed are begging to get out of their pots as growing way too large for them. Wet and cold is the way to describe spring in S. WI this year. It seems our rain never ends.

I would think with warmer temps your plants would start to take off. Your beans are a bit yellow but the rest is looking mighty good compared to how my season is starting. I am actually a bit envious compared to how my garden currently looks! Currently all I have in the garden is some "volunteer' dill that came up again. I planted dill 2 years ago and it keeps coming up every year on me (self-seeding).