Re: 3 weeks later

Barkie 5/12/2011, 4:34 am

buttaflie143 wrote:I got the soil tested. It is ok, could use some nitro. They think the real problem is the cold snap we just had. After deliberation, we decided my garden's micro climate must be a bit cooler due to its position next to the woods and creek that run behind my house. They probably won't recover and if they do, they probably won't produce as well as they could have and this includes my cucumbers and okra. So now the question is, do I start over with new transplants?

Chicken manure compost is high in nitro, but I bet you knew that since from your posts you sound well clued up. I wouldn't be surprised if it was your microclimate as my neighbour walks her dog in woodland down by the river and she was telling me it was frosty down there at 7am one morning but in my walled garden no frost.

I never know if the garden centre hardens indoor raised plants off properly but even if they do a cold snap doesn't help at all does it! I would buy new plants and keep them cosy until the roots establish if the weather doesn't buck up. Hopefully plain sailing for you after this.

**Furbalsmom** 5/12/2011, 4:49 am

Buttaflie, it is good to know that the soil was light in nitrogen, but otherwise ok. That is one thing you don't have to be concerned about.

New transplants for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant would help you out.

Cucumbers, squash and beans should do well with direct seeding. They don't take long to germinate. Unfortunately, I don't know about okra.

Good luck and now if the weather will just co-operate. Laughing

Barkie 5/12/2011, 5:42 am

I've not grown it either but there's a page here for okra on USA gardener website which may help you to work out if you can sow direct or indoors on a windowsill and transplant it when it is warm enough outdoors.

http://usagardener.com/how_to_grow_vegetables/how_to_grow_okra.php

Barkie

buttaflie143 5/12/2011, 7:18 pm

Ok. I took out all the tomatoes and cucumbers, and both zucchini plants. I mixed in some smart-release 14-14-14 plant and vegetable food, replanted, and gave it the box a shot of 12-4-8 liquid feed. I left the okra and straightneck squash in as control plants to see if the added fertilizer (high nitrogen content) makes a difference. I am also watching those nightly low temps. If I need to I will cover the boxes with some sheets and table clothes. Let's see what happens. I will have pics tomorrow.

NHGardener 5/12/2011, 8:33 pm

Ooh! How exciting! An experiment! I can't wait to hear if it works. Glad you didn't have to re-buy the transplants.

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