I'm having garden problems. Help!

[dgibby]

Tomatoes plants are huge, full, have lots of tomatoes on them, but the tomatoes are not progressing. They've stopped growing, are still green after weeks on the vine, or ripen while they're still very small.

Same thing's happening with the green peppers.

Squash,'cukes, and watermelon are doing ok.

Cantaloupe and spaghetti squash are loaded with blossoms, but no produce.

I've watered and fertilized them, given them a milk bath, but nothing seems to be working.

Anybody have any suggestions?

[beac]

1. Has it been unseasonably hot where you are?

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/tomatoesnotripening.html


Here in VA it's been as if we skipped June & July and went straight into the hell fires of August. My tomatoes are finally making fruit, but that article makes me wonder when/if I'll get to eat them.

[dgibby]

2. Yes, hot and humid,

even more than usual (I'm near Charleston,SC). Thanks for the link!

It's like Groundhog Day all over again here. Every day I go out, check the garden, every day all the tomatoes look just like they did the day before. I was beginning to think it was my age and I was just losing track of time or something. If things don't improve soon, I guess I'll just have to fix some fried green tomatoes.:hi: :rofl:

[bvar22]

3. Your link seems to have explained it all.

Thanks.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/tomatoesnotripening.html


We added shades to our tomato plants last week, and that seems to have helped, but we also had a small break in the temps.

We are now harvesting some tomatoes.
The first ones were disappointing...bland taste, and the internal texture was grainy (mealy).
The ones we picked yesterday and this morning were much better.

We will PLAN next years tomato garden with provisions for shading them through a heat wave.
*Lay them out in a row perpendicular to the sun path
*Incorporate supports for the shades into the supports for the tomato plants
*Some type of flexibility to allow for increasing or decreasing the number of hours for shade

OTOH: The heat seems to be doing wonders for the Beans, Melons, and Squash (that the Squash Bugs didn't get.....yet.)

[dgibby]

4. Speaking of the squash bugs,

I was able to salvage 3 squash plants from the ravages of the vine borers. One of them is producing, the other 2 are hanging on, but no blossoms yet.

This has certainly been a season for learning. In addition to the squash bug problems and tomato problems, I've learned that square foot gardening needs some tweaking.

I followed directions, but have found that the beds are way too crowded. I had to thin out/replant several plants in order to assure good air circulation. Next time, I think I'll plant about half as much in the same space.

I'm also going to add more topsy turvy planters, as I'm having really good results with them. I got the ones from Gardener's Supply Co. They're more expensive, but much sturdier than most on the market, plus they have their own built in watering system. I have cherry tomatoes in them, and have not had any problems at all. I'm thinking I'll plant a lot of other stuff in them next year. Just need to build a frame to hold them, but that shouldn't be too hard.

I think one of the things I like about gardening is the challenge, and the creativity involved in problem solving. One thing for sure, it isn't for wimps!

[beac]

5. Yes, wimpishness will not serve one well in the garden!

:)

Glad your squash are on the mend. :applause:

The icicle radishes I planted around the edges my squash containers seem to be really keeping the Squash Bugs at bay, so you might want to put a few in around yours (they germinate and grow fast).

[dgibby]

11. Thanks. I'm going to give it a try.

Nothing to lose. I have watermelon radish seeds, so will throw a few out there and see what happens.

[bvar22]

7. We still have one remaining Zucchini that is healthy and producing.

I also think (hope) that the season for Vine Borer eggs is over....or it got too damn hot for them too!
At any rate, we have observed no Vine Borer damage to the stems of the remaining Zucchini.
We ARE still taking off a bunch of Squash Bugs every day.

Starkraven and I have a routine worked out.
Starkraven floods one side of the Squash with water, and I collect the Squash Bugs running out the other side.
They are much easier to see when they are running.
We keep several Quart size Mason Jars 1/2 filled with water, and throw Squash Bugs in the jar to drown. We are also using the Dirt Devil to suck up bunches, especially the small gray nymphs that are now all over the Butternut.

We had some of the same problems with the Square Foot Garden.
It is wonderful if space is a severe limitation, but the crowding makes it difficult to maintain.
We had fungal and insect problems that were compounded by the crowding.
Yearly Crop Rotation and Rolling Harvests & 2nd Crop Re-plantings can also be difficult with Square Foot beds ...so we have progressed to more space and separation, but have kept the Companion Planting aspects.


WE are really interested in the Topsy Turvey, and will probably try some next year.

Gardening is a challenge.
We are just learning and adapting.
The most common phrase uttered in our garden is "Next Year, we will...... to deal with this."

[dgibby]

12. I lost all the zucchini, but still have the yellow squash.

Think I'll give the zucchini another try. I refuse to knuckle under to a bunch of bugs! I think I need some chickens, but not too sure it would be a good idea with the dogs and cats. Maybe I could borrow Elvis just until my fur babies learn not to mess with the hens!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[beac]

6. We've had some lower temps too, but the forecast is for them to climb back into the mid-nineties

next week. :(

I'll be out of town for a few days and mr. beac will be tending the garden, so tell your toms to think healthy thoughts for their VA cousins while they are in his tender care. He made a video of me explaining who gets watered when and how much, so I'm hoping for the best. :)

Have you tried planting icicle radishes around your squash? They really seem to be keeping the SB's away from my containered squash and even the formerly sickly one that I threw in the ground. I planted them all around the edge of the planters and inches from the stem of the in-ground plant. My neighbor has her radishes nearby, but not close enough that the foliage mingles and she is NOT getting as good results.


(edited for typo)

[bvar22]

8. Haven't tried the radishes.

Thanks for the tip.

It is RAINING and COOL this morning.
Drinking coffee with my feet up and really enjoying the rain.
:hi:

[beac]

9. Ah yes, I THINK I remember rain.... that's the wet stuff that falls out of the sky, right?

Haven't seen any of that in ages around here. Tell your nice clouds to mosey on over my way when they are done at your place. ;)

[nc4bo]

10. All blossum on cantaloupe w/no or little fruit could be too much fertilizer.

Let them go without for a while and I'll be they'll start fruiting for ya.