Should I Begin Planting

[kevinkimers]

We have had such strange weather here I'm scared to even try to start planting anything. It is so beautiful and warm during the day and freezing cold at night. I usually do not start seedlings in pots/planters. I directly plant them to reduce the risk of killing the plants. Every time I try to transplant a plant it dies on me. LOL
So I am scared to plant right now because of the coldness at night. This is so frustrating.

 

[Chuck]

We have had such strange weather here I'm scared to even try to start planting anything. It is so beautiful and warm during the day and freezing cold at night. I usually do not start seedlings in pots/planters. I directly plant them to reduce the risk of killing the plants. Every time I try to transplant a plant it dies on me. LOL
So I am scared to plant right now because of the coldness at night. This is so frustrating.

The average date of your last frost should be a guide but not a rule as when to plant. Also soil temp is very important when planting tomatoes and peppers even though it is not going to frost.

 

[CanadianLori]

If you check out the month view on the weather network it will show you the forecast temps and historical averages. I have this data written on my gardening calendar along with hours of daylight and seed starting targets.

I then try to adjust my schedule as forecasts are updated.

Course it would help if the weather people were a little more reliable. I kept the notes from last year just for reference and to remind myself of things that worked, or did not.

 

[marlingardener]

Kevin, in Nevada it is a little early to plant anything except potatoes, onions, and broccoli. Cool/cold weather crops will do fine for you now, but if you are doing any of the brassicas, get starters from a nursery or big box, harden them off for about three days, and then plant.
Every time I try to transplant a plant it dies on me. LOL Tell us what the problem is with transplants--do they flop over, stems dry at the soil line, plant turns yellow? I'd bet someone here can diagnose the problem and we'll be able to help you transplant successfully.

 

[CanadianLori]

Kevin, in Nevada it is a little early to plant anything except potatoes, onions, and broccoli. Cool/cold weather crops will do fine for you now, but if you are doing any of the brassicas, get starters from a nursery or big box, harden them off for about three days, and then plant.
Every time I try to transplant a plant it dies on me. LOL Tell us what the problem is with transplants--do they flop over, stems dry at the soil line, plant turns yellow? I'd bet someone here can diagnose the problem and we'll be able to help you transplant successfully.

Too funny, this reminds me that I always thought it was cold slaw!! And they are cold cole crops!!

 

[kevinkimers]

Well, woke up this morning and my windows were iced over.... definitely not time to plant. LOL

Thank you @marlingardner, Oh and what happens is they slowly just die. They shrivel up and lay down and die. No matter what I have tried they do this. I even went as far as crushing up aspirin and putting it in their water. So I just gave up on transplanting and plant directly. So far that has been going ok for me and saves me a step.

LOL @CanadianLori.

 

[Chuck]

Well, woke up this morning and my windows were iced over.... definitely not time to plant. LOL

Thank you @marlingardner, Oh and what happens is they slowly just die. They shrivel up and lay down and die. No matter what I have tried they do this. I even went as far as crushing up aspirin and putting it in their water. So I just gave up on transplanting and plant directly. So far that has been going ok for me and saves me a step.

LOL @CanadianLori.

Please describe everything you do concerning planting your seeds. Soil, where the plants are located, how you water them, feed them, how big are they when they die, what they look like right before they die etc. There is no reason why you cannot grow plants from seed. Not only is it a lot cheaper you also have a much larger number of varieties to choose from

 

[marlingardener]

Perhaps your transplants are suffering from "damping off." This is a fungus disease that attacks young plants. Basically, a healthy looking plant lays over, there is a "pinched" look to the stem where it hits the soil, and the plant dies. The fungus can be of several varieties, but all of them are susceptible to a fungicide make of baking soda (not powder!) mixed into tepid water.
I put a pint of tepid water that has been sitting on the counter for a day to rid it of chemical additives (if you use rainwater, this day long wait isn't necessary) and add a tsp. of baking soda. This concoction goes into a spray bottle, and gets shaken thoroughly. The seedling's soil is sprayed with this. I lost a lot of transplants before finding that this works.
I hope your garden thrives and you have the best harvest ever!

 

[kevinkimers]

Please describe everything you do concerning planting your seeds. Soil, where the plants are located, how you water them, feed them, how big are they when they die, what they look like right before they die etc. There is no reason why you cannot grow plants from seed. Not only is it a lot cheaper you also have a much larger number of varieties to choose from

I used to start them off inside or in a green house. Waited for them to get a good size and look healthy and strong, then transplant them outside. I looked ok for about a week then suddenly started to whither and die. I started out using potting soil then moved to using the soil that is in the garden. I even tried buying plants from stores (bought a tomato plant that had tomatoes already growing on it), but the end result was the same. So now, I just plant the seed directly where I want the plant to be and just grow it there. I seem to have better success that way.

@marlingardener, I will definitely have to try that.

 

[Chuck]

I used to start them off inside or in a green house. Waited for them to get a good size and look healthy and strong, then transplant them outside. I looked ok for about a week then suddenly started to whither and die. I started out using potting soil then moved to using the soil that is in the garden. I even tried buying plants from stores (bought a tomato plant that had tomatoes already growing on it), but the end result was the same. So now, I just plant the seed directly where I want the plant to be and just grow it there. I seem to have better success that way.

@marlingardener, I will definitely have to try that.

Damping off happens to young seedlings. If you bought plants, especially a mature tomato and it did the same thing something is either in your water or soil or in your watering and/or feeding process

 

[headfullofbees]

Sounds to me like your plants are not being hardened off before planting.

 

[Pat]

It is 30 degrees below normal in my area, we are covered in ice. I do not think we will be planting anything for a while.

 

[R.R.]

@marlingardener, what do you mean when you say not the powder kind? I've only seen baking soda in powder, not other kinds. Where can I find the kind you are talking about?

 

[marlingardener]

I meant not baking powder. Once I advised a gardener to use the baking soda solution, their plants promptly damped off, and I got blamed! Now I specify baking soda (not powder). Sorry for the confusion.

 

[R.R.]

Thanks, I was a little confused