Garden Problems

tractorshopper · May 9, 2016

Strange year this year. I planted my garden on April 9th. Weather has been nice, but not a ton of rain. I have watered it a couple times in the meantime, but apparently not enough. Had one good rain at about a week and a half after planting otherwise.

Usually by 2 weeks it seems all is sprouting nicely. I kept checking and had a few items up by 2 weeks but even at 3 weeks, only maybe 20 corn plants had started to come up in sporadic areas. (For reference, I planted about 1,800 seeds of corn in 11 rows). The Merit seemed to do much better than the Silver Queen, but with only about 20 plants starting between the two, both were abysmal. Same with Okra, maybe 3 sprouts in 3 rows. Only 2 bush beans started in 3 rows. Zuchinni and Squash were mostly all growing by week 3. The plants I put in were all doing good (green peppers, yellow bell peppers, pablanos, and tomatoes). Watermelon and cantaloupe seeds were about 60%-70% started.

Anyway, I went and pretty much replanted the entire garden again yesterday. Here's hoping for better luck this time. I've never had this problem before. I usually plant and throw some 10/10/10 on each row and did the same this year. I have no idea what my problem could be. I did notice when re-hoeing the corn rows to replant, that some other kernels were about to sprout, but still not many compared to how much seed I started.

This garden is in a different area this year, but it is in an area that produced my best garden in my history of gardening. I really can't figure this one out. I'm no expert, so suggestions or observations are welcome. I like to learn.

EarPlug · May 9, 2016

Soil Temperature and Moisture. "Nice Weather" does not necessarily mean the correct weather. If the ground is too cold it can take 28 days for corn to sprout.

Seed Science: Seed Germination | Seed content from Corn and Soybean Digest

tractorshopper · May 9, 2016

That's very interesting and I didn't know that about low soil temps making corn take up to 4 weeks, but our air temps have been mostly in the high 70's and low 80's during this same time. We did have a weekend that cooled off pretty good, but it was short lived. I don't know what the soil temps would have been compared to air temps, but all of our grass and weeds are green and growing well. I guess the couple rows that I ran out of corn seed to replant will tell all if they all come up in the next week or so.

RalphVa · May 9, 2016

Still way too early for okra; I'd think, even down there.

My corn 1st planted about 2 weeks ago is only maybe 10 to 20% sprouting. Of course, it's fairly early for corn here. I've Silver Queen.

I've had miserable luck getting lettuce to come up. Two years ago, I kept planting little 2 foot or so strips of lettuce, and it all came up until it got too hot. Last year not much luck and then year, too.

Ralph

mapper · May 9, 2016

A good soil thermometer is invaluable for taking the guess work out of when to plant. A lot of pests and diseases can afflict seed that does not germinate quickly, so a fast start is desirable. I had an issue last year with corn seed from one source that had terrible germination, about 20 percent. This year looks better, since I only grow about four 40' rows I can start it in cell packs in the greenhouse. It's sprouting after about five days.

lakngulf · May 9, 2016

Each year corn and okra are a hit or miss for me. Okra likes warm soil, and is finicky to just sit there. I also tend to plant it too deep. At my Mother's garden I can get okra to germinate, but her soil is better and we tend to plant it later. At home, I try to plant too soon, and the only way I can get okra going is to start in greenhouse in potting soil, and then transplant.

Corn also has problems germinating in my soil. Don't know if it is compaction or not. Last year at my Mom's the silver queen first planting did not germinate. I dug in and found puffed seed. This year we are having to thin the rows. Who knows?

mark02tj · May 10, 2016

I've had horrible luck at gardening but I keep trying. I'm by no means an expert, but I watch a TON of gardening related shows (much to sweetie's dismay! :laughing

.

On PBS' "Growing a Greener World", the host once mentioned putting manure on his garden. The hay fed to his horses came from a farm where the grass had been sprayed with a pre-emergent herbicide. He felt like the effects of that pre-emergent stayed in the manure and affected his garden. Killer Compost - Growing A Greener World TV

Several interesting links on his site.... Search Results - Growing A Greener World TV

2LaneCruzer · May 10, 2016

Agree on the okra; I finally learned that I would have to wait until about the first week of May to plant, even here in Oklahoma. I have planted corn in February, and had good luck...even got nipped by frost a time or two and still did OK. I planted something called "Early Sunglow", and always matured about July 4th or so. Hot dry weather here is not good for corn.

tractorshopper · May 10, 2016

Thanks all for the insights. I also am usually harvesting corn around July 4th time frame. With 80-90 day maturity times, I didn't start any earlier this year than other years.

The area I tilled this year is long since used pasture land with good darker brown top soil instead of the normal red clay everywhere here. I put in a garden in about the same area 4-5 years ago and it was the best garden I've ever had. I generally don't have one at this property due to no water tap there, so I have to cart water from home to stay on top of it. This year I bought a large IBC container to use for watering instead of 4 large trash cans like I did years ago.

I usually do my gardens at home, but they do okay there, not great. Problem at home is my whole property there is basically cut out of hill on one side, then fill on the other, so I don't have as good of soil. 3 acres of poorly growing grass and weeds. I lime the area and fertilize also, but the property is rich darker soil with lot of old organic content in comparison to my house.

Keeping fingers crossed that it will fill in nicely in the next couple weeks. ;-)