lazy veggies, need a jump start

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skooltcher Lancaster, CA Apr 06, 2011

so i planted my seeds two weeks ago. some raddishes, collards and mustard greens and swiss chard has broken the soil, they are not developing though. i added some home made compost to the plot a week before planting. should i add more or am i simply expecting too much too soon?

also most of the collards, mustards and none of the string beans, lettuce, sage, basil, cilantro and oregano have yet to appear. the spot gets plenty of full sunlight and water. i'd appreciate some advice please.

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PrissyJo Roswell, NM(Zone 6a) Apr 07, 2011

Hi. Not sure about your soil temp this time of year but most of the seeds that haven't come up yet like at least 50 degree soil and prefer at least 60 so they'll probably come up if you keep them moist during germination. Compost is good of course but if this is your first garden, did you add any soil amendments before you planted? Around here, the soil is so bad that compost alone will not produce anything except a few native weeds. I have to add blood meal, bone meal, greensand and rock phosphate or I get no production at all. Good luck!

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catmad Pelzer, SC(Zone 7b) Apr 07, 2011

I'm not sure what part of Ca you're in, but it may already be too hot for the cool weather crops like collards and mustard to do much. Weve had quite a bit of heat for this time of year, and my 4" brussels sprouts just plain quit growing. Lettuce is still okay, but that usually way outlasts the coles.
The beans basil and oregano should be along. Two weeks isn't all that long, so maybe you'll have plenty soon.

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GrayThumb Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a) Apr 08, 2011

Has your compost "composted" enough? If it is too new, some of the nutrients may not be readily available for your plants.

How is the pH of your soil?

Have you planted there before, and if so, did you rotate what was planted where?

You might want to get ahold of a university extension, Ag coop, or nursery in your area and find out if there are any common soil problems or if the recent weather has been a problem for your paricular plants.

Good luck!

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skooltcher Lancaster, CA Apr 08, 2011

the compost looked and smelled good as far as i know (first batch). the ph is between 6-6.5. never planted there before.

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