Garden mistakes

[backlash]

Seeing as how Spring is almost here how about a thread on garden screw ups and how to fix them.

I used way way to much composted manure in my garden and other than squash and tomatoes we got very little produce.
Does anyone know what I can do other than haul in 10 yards of top soil and start over.
Is there a way to get the nitrogen level down?

Next is potatoes.
All of ours were about the size of golf balls. The big ones were tennis ball size and we got very few of either.
This was the 2nd year with no potatoes to speak of.
Okra didn't grow at all and we had 1cantalope out of 6 plants.
Tomatoes were OK and we had more than we could use.
They tasted good but they didn't get very big.
I think most of the problems are due to to much fertilizer.
The neighbor said it had been composting for 3 years and he dumped a 10 yard truck full on my garden.
He was wrong.It was still hot but by the time I figured that out it was also to late.
Thanks I know someone will have an answer for me.

[Rick]

My specialty appears to be letting yellow squash grow to the size and consistency of a golf bag.

Pick early and pick often.

:)

[MrGreenJeans]

Number one mistake! Don't make it, i do it to some degree every year. Do not plant to early. Last year by this time i had my peas out for 2 week's already. To much white stuff this year. :D

[tomato204]

I actually had a 1/2 inch snow on my sugar snap peas one year, no ill effects that I could see. Temps down below about 25-26F are what hurts peas. I like to plant them once a week for 3-4 weeks to cover my behind, just in case. This year I haven't put any peas out yet, too wet to make a row.
In my early gardening days, I planted stuff too close together, looks good til they get big then there's no where to walk.

[backlash]

My specialty appears to be letting yellow squash grow to the size and consistency of a golf bag.

Pick early and pick often.

:)
We had some of those.
Cows ate them but that was all they were good for.
Another mistake was planting to many tomatoes.
My wife started them from seed and she got carried away.
They were cherry tomatoes and we finally just let them go wild.

[Junie]

Backlash, you're right about too much nitrogen causing the problems you described.
Personally, I would not do anything. Nitrogen is water soluble and will go away by itself. I wouldn't add any more manure for a year or two, though.

[Deberosa]

You could neutralize some of the nitrogen maybe by mulching with saw dust, wood chips or straw. Those tend to absorb the nitrogen before releasing it.

We have some of those mega squash every year. ;-)

My biggest issue is I think I have to plant every seed in the packet. That and I can't bear to thin seedlings - they all could grow into a great plant and what if I kill the best one? ;-)

[Moody Vaden]

I believe you will probably be fine this coming season. Maybe give it a couple real good soakings?

My wife hates thinning.

[AlchemyAcres]

What type of manure?

As Debbie said, mix in something high in carbon, preferably something that breaks down quickly, like fallen leaves.

You could also reserve that area for nitrogen loving plants and prepare another area for the other stuff.

It's never a good idea to plant potatoes in lots of uncomposted manure, not only does it promote vegetative growth rather than tuber growth, it also encourages scab.


~Martin

[backlash]

You could neutralize some of the nitrogen maybe by mulching with saw dust, wood chips or straw. Those tend to absorb the nitrogen before releasing it.

We have some of those mega squash every year. ;-)

My biggest issue is I think I have to plant every seed in the packet. That and I can't bear to thin seedlings - they all could grow into a great plant and what if I kill the best one? ;-)


Sounds like my wife.
She must have planted 100 tomato seeds.
She said that way she would get at least 2 or 3 to grow.
Well they all sprouted and she would have transplanted them to the garden is I hadn't said anything.
As it was she planted more than she should have.
As far as the nitrogen problem I'm hoping it has leached out over the last 16 months and the garden will do OK this year.
Maybe in the area we want peas and onions I'll try tilling in some straw.
I have Spring fever really bad and I want to start working the garden. Still a little early. I'll try to hold off a week or 2.
Thanks for replying

[MooseToo]

My specialty appears to be letting yellow squash grow to the size and consistency of a golf bag.

Pick early and pick often.

:)

you know, with just a bit of effort, you can get that same level of production with cucumbers also - with the added benefit of new and unusual coloration -

you might also consider okra - properly ignored, an okra pod can find unique applications in construction projects -

[Pokeberry Mary]

Planting onions in a spot that used to have grass in it. worst mess in the world to weed and full of fire ants too just to make it more fun. :(

[Moody Vaden]

Here's a good one I learned one year. Planting tomatoes near a black walnut tree. The tree roots are toxic to some veggies like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, cabbage.

[DM]

I used way way to much composted manure in my garden and other than squash and tomatoes we got very little produce.
Does anyone know what I can do other than haul in 10 yards of top soil and start over.
Is there a way to get the nitrogen level down?

I would use a spade and dig one spade deep right through the manure. Then back fill it with clean soil (sand ?) and plant in the soil. Leave the manure to finish composting out in place. It won't be near as "hot" this year as it was last, and then mulch the plants in heavy for weed control...

DM

[Laura]

Seeing as how Spring is almost here how about a thread on garden screw ups and how to fix them.

Screw up
Planted potatoes, didn't till the soil fine enough, didn't water them enough, the soil is like concrete (hard clay) so I harvested purple grapes to golf ball sized spuds.

Fix
This year I am going to till the snot out of the dirt, layer straw-dirt-straw-dirt and put them in an 8x4 raised bed, where I can water them and baby them.

Screw up
Started tomatoes indoors. Didn't get the soil warm enough or the lights close enough. Plants were tiny and weak. Eventually all died. Nice. Bought plants, my soil sucked, it was cold and rainy, then cold and dry.

Fix
Closer lights, warmer soil, chose different seeds (amish paste). I can't control the weather but I will make little green houses with hoop huts to protect the plants, and I will be doing raised beds so I can better control the soil. I have three, 8 x 4 beds committed to tomato plants.

Screw up
Row planting

Fix
Twelve 8 x 4 raised beds

That's all I can think of right now!!

[bookwormom]

I second Deberosa. sawdust, woodchips need nitrogen to break down.
I don't know Martin, I remember I used to get the biggest and mostpotatoes every year from the compost pile, there were always a few that got planted there by mistakes and they always did great. so I left the plants.
I have the same problem here, no luck with potatoes. maybe two tubers in a hill, average size, but so few. and only one stalk to the plant. Sandy soil here, it looks like it ought to be wonderful potato growing soil. I have used Fertrell amendments on the soil, only one plant had what I would consider a normal amount. It grew where I had had the manure pile.

the mistake I make, I plant too much of some things. who is supposed to eat all that squash? Okay, the chickens will eat it and sheep love it too. zucchini regularly dies on me after the first one or two fruits. I wish someone would give me some zucchini. another mistake, a racoon is not going to go into a half a hart trap with a patch of sweet corn standing right there. I am going to tether one of the dogs by the cornpatch this year. See how that works. only at night of course.

things that I thought would do great here have done measly. watermelons, sweet potatoes among them. One problem we have, I notice it especially with lettuce since it is fast growing. It comes up fast, and th en sits there and sits there and sits there, it should be ready to cut and still is sitting there doing nothing. then all of a sudden it takes off. Every flat spot here used to be a tobacco patch. I am wondering if there still could be chemicals in the soil and if possibly some of the stuff sprayed to keep it from suckering could be the reason? It has been 15 years though. My land really was tobaccoed out.

[Junie]

My biggest screw up is thinking Id remember where I planted stuff and how much I planted (either too much or not enough) in previous years.

I fixed it by keeping a garden journal, including maps of the gardens, when I planted, how much I planted, when I got my first pickings, when I got my last pickings, and what the yield was. I also include notes on what I should do different next year.

[Rick]

LOL on the okra; that stuff is worse than kudzu. :)

My other mistake is to plant too many tomatoes and peppers.

I am going to keep a journal too this year.

[AlchemyAcres]

My other mistake is to plant too many tomatoes and peppers.


I make that mistake every year! LOL

~Martin :D

[backlash]

Thanks everyone.
I thought I was the only one that had these problems.
All my family and neighbors lock their doors when they see me coming with more zucchini.:)

[DM]

another mistake, a racoon is not going to go into a half a hart trap with a patch of sweet corn standing right there. I am going to tether one of the dogs by the cornpatch this year. See how that works. only at night of course.


If you use a bigger live trap, and the "right bait", you will get them EVERY time, even if the trap is IN the sweet corn. I have no problem catching them, as they can't resist those small marshmellows, put two near the opening of the trap, one on the trigger, and 3 behind the trigger.!

Also put a can of stinky bait like sardeens in the trap, but punch some holes in the top to let the stink out. It doesn't hurt to put in some left over cooked chicken skin in a piece of tin foil the size of your thump either.

DM

[nhlivefreeordie]

Being a trapper, I use lure for most critters. Leurres Forget in Canada has a product called Pro-Coon. It is a clear liquid, all you need is a couple drops, if there are coon around, you will catch them, it is that good.

[MooseToo]

Thanks everyone.
I thought I was the only one that had these problems.
All my family and neighbors lock their doors when they see me coming with more zucchini.:)

well, if the economy goes as sour as many predict, zucchini might become a valuable barter item - shoot, you might even be able to trade a bushel basket of zucchini for a grape -

[Junie]

We use marshmallows, too, but string a few on heavy thread and tie them to the end wall of the trap. That way the critters have to stay there and mess around a little while to get them off. We almost always get our man... I mean, critter.

Caught a skunk last week. Two of the kids got sprayed, trying to release it, but that's another story.

[backlash]

We use marshmallows, too, but string a few on heavy thread and tie them to the end wall of the trap. That way the critters have to stay there and mess around a little while to get them off. We almost always get our man... I mean, critter.

Caught a skunk last week. Two of the kids got sprayed, trying to release it, but that's another story.

I always worried about catching a skunk.
Then what do I do?
The coons I was trying to catch were big.
I think the have a heart trap was too small.
Might have to try again with marshmallows.
My wife will be out of town next weekend so maybe that would be a good time to shoot them.

[Junie]

The skunk was a problem. First the kids tried to drown it, like the neighbor told them to do, but the pond was frozen. That's how they got sprayed. I think the neighbor told them to do that to see if they were dumb enough to try it. They were.

Hubby just ended up shooting it. So far, nobody has the guts to take it out of the trap. It still stinks and it's not getting any better.

[Native87]

LOL Junie. I think your neighbor probably pulled a fast one that worked. The thing I do for hava harts is to take an old blanket and throw over the trap to contain the spray when it comes. Lots of times you can then transport and release them. No guarantee if it will spray or not. Just depends on the critter.

[neparose]

Hey Junie! I've released skunks before with no problem. One person gets the skunks attention, and the other person releases the trap. The idea was for the person holding the skunks attention to warn the person releasing the trap if the skunk started beating his little tattoo. Would love to hear your story about the boys getting sprayed! Wonder if its anything likes the story of my boys "removing" the wasps nest with super soaker squirt guns...lol!

[CapeCMom]

Oh those boys! Mine have used super soakers also to get rid of hornet nests-then I caught them on the roof with the garden hose. There was a ladder up onto the roof of the porch-I was like"Where did you guys think you were going to go if they chased you?" They sheepishly admitted they had gotten stung-but it was ok-the nest was gone and they thought holding what was left of the paper nest was really cool.

I think my biggest mistake is planting too early or too late in the season. Every year seems to be different as far as the weather. I can never figure it out.

[bookwormom]

hey thanks guys, you give me hope. Maybe this year I get to eat my corn

[nhlivefreeordie]

The skunk was a problem. First the kids tried to drown it, like the neighbor told them to do, but the pond was frozen. That's how they got sprayed. I think the neighbor told them to do that to see if they were dumb enough to try it. They were.

Hubby just ended up shooting it. So far, nobody has the guts to take it out of the trap. It still stinks and it's not getting any better.

The neighbor was right. If you cover the trap like was stated with an old blanket, let it sit a few minutes, then gently lift the trap and take it to the water. Place the whole trap in so it is submerged, if the skunk does spray in the water, no one will be worse for the wear. If you shoot a skunk, the spinal cord has to be severed to prevent spraying, usually it doesn't work, and they spray. Drowning is by far the easiest method. Using a syringe pole is common as well, but that takes practice and the ability to get the drugs needed to dispatch.

[Junie]

They got sprayed while trying to throw the blanket over the cage. Knowing them, they were probably pretty rowdy and scared the poor thing. Subtlety is not one of their strong points.

Ya know, now that I think about it, that skunk is still in the cage down by the pond. I'll have to remember to have them go get it tomorrow. I bought it to catch the groundhogs that decimate my watermelons and squash.

[CountryGuy]

For the pesky 4 legged critters, get ya some fly bait and your farm supply and mix it with a little Coca-cola (no diet). If that old coon makes it more than 20' before kicking over I'll be surprised... Keep your dogs and cats in when it is out as it is not selective. Like the guy at the store told me... "it's good for anything the flies, walks or crawls...including mother in laws" Just put it out overnight when your critters come calling.


I have a question I hope I can get an answer for before I possibly make a mistake. I'm wondering if I can use wood chip mulch, cedar or cypres around my plants. I'm wondering if the natural repelent tendency of these woods would help keep down the bugs, slugs, and worms but also would it be safe or could something leach out into the soil and the plants and food off them? I always hear people using straw so I'm wondering if this might work and if it would be OK.

[Junie]

Whether you can use wood chips would depend on how deep you plan on mulching with them, what kind of wood, and what kind of plants. I used a mixed wood chip mulch on my garden two years ago and was not happy with it. The wood chips were too big, so the weeds grew up between them. It's possible that I didn't put it deep enough, though.

Some kinds of chips will make your soil too acidic for some plants. I prefer to just use them around shrubs and blueberries now.

Also, wood chips will heat up enough to catch fire if they're too deep (6" is deep enough to build up heat in wood chips)

You could let that heat work for you and compost them, then work them into the soil if you have a lot of them and don't know what to do with them. Just be sure they are within reach of a hose and not near any buildings, just in case. That's what I'm doing with the rest of mine. I let the county dump their wood chips when they were cleaning up after the ice storm, I had more than 3 tons of chips.

[Travis]

My mistakes outweigh the sucess. #rd year doing the garden thing and this year is the year I implement a journal. Learning each year more and more and hoping for a good harvest this year.

[SPIKE]

. That and I can't bear to thin seedlings - they all could grow into a great plant and what if I kill the best one? ;-)

I have this problem also. The thought is very funny.

They are not mistakes, just learning experiences! LOL

SPIKE

[kldickinson1]

I didn't keep a journal. I will, from now on, always keep a journal. You tell yourself that you're going to remember every detail, and you never do!

Started celeriac too early. It need to be started indoors April 15, not April 1.

Didn't keep up with the potato beetles! Oh, I'm going to pay for it this year. I will never go out to the garden without either a) a tomato can half-full of gasoline b) the guts to woman up and crush the little buggers with my hands.

Planted too many carrots at once. Solution: succession plant every two weeks.

Didn't have a root cellar in place before fall harvest came in! Won't make that mistake again....I lost all of my parsnips and celeriac and rutabagas to the frozen ground.

[tomato204]

There's a bad mistake right there! Use soapy water instead of gas to drown bugs in, then you can compost it after they quit squirming. Gas is common so you might not think of it as deadly, but it's just not good to scatter it around.