Seedlings turning lighter

VirginiaA 3/20/2021, 11:42 pm

I just planted my SFG for the first time on March 5. I thought it would be booming but some things are doing better in different soil (like Strawberry Fields). For example recently sprouted squash is much greener than what sprouted a couple of weeks ago. Marigolds in potting mix are about 2x the size size of those in the SFG mix in the bed. The tomatoes seemed to stop growing :-/
We just went out of town for 3 days so I don't know whether there was enough sun or water during that time.

**sanderson** 3/21/2021, 2:39 am

Virginia, Did you make the Mel's Mix with 1/3 blended real composts? Did you check the soil temps before you planted? It takes time for the microbes to break down the compost to release the nutrients. Often, potting mixes have fertilizer mixed in which means instantly available nutrients.

Mistakes are the best learning tool. My first time making Mel's Mix, I used a soil amendment for the compost part. Embarassed

The plants grew for 4 weeks (from the fertilizer in the amendment), then stopped growing. The folks on this Forum diagnosed what I did wrong and I spent the next couple of years amending with lots of real composts to make up for my mistake. I also used an overly diluted Miracle Grow to provide some instant food for the failing plants.

VirginiaA 3/21/2021, 8:52 am

Well, I must have missed that part somewhere. I do not have the book and only followed the videos about making the mix. Any recommendations on what can I do now? This is my first SFG (18'x4') and the season is starting to kick off Seedlings turning lighter 1f601

. Should I just put down HastaGro? Any other recommendations to salvages it? I don't want to lose all of this. I have the following:

dwarf marigolds (stunted)
borage
broccolini (stunted)
lettuces
summer squashes
winter squashes
peas
bush beans
cucumbers
tomatoes (stunted)
watermelon
carrots
radishes
garlic
peppers

**sanderson** 3/24/2021, 8:22 am

If you want to add a fertilizer, I would suggest an organic fertilizer such as Espoma Garden-tone. Lightly mix it in away from the base of each plant.

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Seedlings turning lighter

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