posted
I've got several questions, but to preface. I've got two raised beds (14" high with loamy soil and compost. My veggies (especially tomatoes, peppers and corn) look bad. The tomato's leaves are on the yellowish side and curled upward. The fruit are also beginning to bruise and get black spots. Also, some of the plants didn't start off too strong to begin with and seem stunted. The peppers (only Bell's seem not to be producing fruit) have plenty of flowers, but no fruit. I think it may be too hot. Is this possible? And the corn doesn't seem to be growing very big. The ears are small and not fully developed. For the tomatoes, I took a soil sample and was deficient in N and K and about 8 - 8.5 on PH scale, so I added Blood Meal (for N), and Muriate of Potash (for K) and Sulfate (to lower alkilinity). Question: How long will it take to get the soil back to where I would like it and will adding the nutrients help me in the short term to rectify the situation and get some good looking veggies going? Next, my beds are getting lots of mushrooms and so is the compost pile. Why is this? I don't suppose we can eat them???? Thanks for the help
Plants: 3 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: May 2003
| Seeded: 205.188.208.104
posted
NEVER EAT ANY MUSHROOMS THAT ARE NOT IDENTIFIED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON TO DO SO!!! I can not epress myself enough on that point. Now up North it's never too hot for tomatoes and peppers and raised beds are great for those. But down in the South were you are it maybe I'm not sure being as hot as you are would increase the temps even more. Is there a Co~operative Center down there you can call? But my first thoughts are: The dirt, where did you get it and how much do you water and what are your watering techniques? The dirt may cotain a disease already, here's a site on "Tomato Bacterial Spot". http://ct.essortment.com/tomatoesplants_rckh.htm Very import on how you water. If you are watering your tomatoes from the top and that water is causing splashing of the dirt up onto your plants. Watering plants from the top~that is a big NO~NO with tomatoes. Here is a site that you can read up on, go to SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT OF TOMATOES. http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgibin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-fv-pd I am trying a new technique this year (there are several ways to do it.) I am saving my juice bottles and or plastic mild containers and when I plant (I live in N.Y. no tomato planting for us yet) I will plant the tomato plant and then next to it I will bury the container of my choice about half way (the pointy side or spout down. With the bottoms cut out first. Like a big funnel. I will then water into there so the dirt doesn't splash on my tomato plant. There are also some fittings you can purchase that go on the top of soda pop bottles and they have little holes up and down and will do the same. Just depends on the "bucks" you have to put into it. Also, place landscape fabric (NOT Plastic)underneath the plants when planting. This cuts down weeds, saves water and keeps the dirt under the fabric and off of the plants. Hope this helps, Post how this works!!! Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
The second site I sent you says sorry page not available BUT click on Educational Programs and then click on Fruits and Vegetables then scroll down and click plant diseases and then click SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT OF TOMATOES. That'll get you there.
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Ryan, I just feel like there was something not right with your compost..I know peppers need hot weather.Im in Texas right now my peppers are not looking to good..Maybe i should waited till the weather got a little warmer..Do you switch places with your veggie every year? Sorry not much help..
posted
Just so you all know, my watering schedule (a soaker hose) is every morning for an hour and a half. I started with a half an hour, then an hour and now am up to this. It's only rained twice in the past several months (when it rains it pours), but when it doesn't rain it is so hot that even with an hour and a half directly to the soil, the soil is dry by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Unbelievable! My peppers are really starting to take off, but the tomatoes still look kind of bad. It doesn't appear that the nutrients I added are helping very quickly or at least the tomato plants do not appear to be making too much of a comeback from their stuntedness (if that's a word). It's still early though. By the way, lots of jalepenos. The bells are not quite as good, but are starting to come around as far as producing fruit. I try to switch my crops when possible, but in only two raised beds, they are not going to be too far away from there previous growing space.
Plants: 3 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: May 2003
| Seeded: 205.188.208.104
posted
Ryan, Good glad your peppers are doing good..LOL You should see my peppers plants maybe 4 inches tall i checked this morning see small bell peppers on them..This my first year to grow any veggies in Tx i just moved here year ago this month..The soil here is black clay (gumbo) thats what they call it.People say that it will grow anything..Mix a little sand with it and it makes it better..The grass here has no problem growing in this clay...Well just not sure what to tell u on the tomatoes.. Ryan, i used some Osmocote for veggies on my tomatoe plants they sure are looking better..Maybe try some this..Its a slow release plant food..Good luck..
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