On Saturday we had a guy come in to fix the wall around our a/c where the plaster/paint had gotten all screwed up by a clogged weephole. He took one look at my pitiful seedling collection and commented that we should’ve started earlier. I was a bit defensive at first, but even I had to admit that it was true. I started late and they just haven’t grown like they should have. Sigh. I’m torn on what to do. I guess I’ll keep them going because it certainly won’t hurt anything, but I have to face up to the fact that we aren’t going to be eating from the balcony this year. So much for the growing challenge.
The basil, however, is looking pretty good and getting big. So that’s something. I have one little peppermint guy who is trying desperately to stay alive, and my peppers are still growing, albeit slowly and in no way close to fruit. The strawberries are damn near microscopic, and I have no idea why their growth is so stunted but they are cute anyway. The parsley and cilantro died out a month ago; I think I’m going to cheat and buy a couple of herb plants next week.
I’m bummed, but at least now I know to start earlier next year.
I’ve been slowly killing my plants off too
don’t be discouraged by the peppers, for some reason I’ve noticed they are just about the slowest growing of all the seedlings.
Thanks, Melissa. That’s good to know. I’m going to put them in bigger pots today and see what they do
Wait! Don’t get too discouraged – what are you growing? See, the thing is that most food gardeners only plant things in the Spring. That’s it: you plant in the spring for a summer and fall harvest, and then you’re done. But the truth is that you can grow things – and harvest – all year round.
I’ve just planted peas, carrots, greens, and basil, for example. Pretty soon we’ll start planting more broccoli, peas, spinach, kale, beets, and several other crops, so that we can have them all fall and winter long.
So what did you plant, where are you growing your seedlings, and how big are they??! Don’t give up necessarily!!
Argh. Keep forgetting I have to log out of WordPress so that my correct account comes up!! That last comment was me – sorry. ; )
Melinda–they all died off. I’m not sure what the heck I did, but every last seedling keeled over. I got 3 tomato plants transplanted into a bigger pot but they died within a few days of transplant along with my last mesclun sprout. I had 4 lovely basils but wasn’t diligent about the watering so only have one left.
I don’t know if it’s the soil, poor drainage, or over/under watering. I’m such an absolute gardening neophyte. I may try again after we’re done with traveling and actually do some research instead of winging it so much.
[...] supplies and I find myself thinking back to the last time I attempted seed-starting and the challenges experienced in the midst of that attempt. Now, this time around most of our seed-starting is to stave off the frustration of waiting to get [...]