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Re: Results so far

Where in Washington do you live. If zone 5 you must be on the E. side or
high in the mountains.

A few questions to help determine what went wrong. Was the chicken manure
well composted? Hot or fresh bird manure will burn almost any plant it
comes in contact with. When did you plant your peas? Did you plant them in
August to come up now? I'm trying to determine why our wet August has
anything to do w/ why your plants are not coming up now. If you did plant
peas in the fall/summer, it is quite likely that they rotted, washed away
or were eaten by birds and rodents.

>I live in Washington state in zone 5 (if I remember correctly). I amended
>slightly sandy soil with chicken manure and peat moss. The PH is fine. I
>watered every day...but one thing that may be a factor is we had HORRIBLE
>rains for a few weeks in August. I mean torrential downpours. I wonder if
>many seeds didn't rot in the ground. I know only about half of my peas came
>up and I planted at least 50 sweet pea seeds and only about 10 plants came
>up.

Unless you planted a lot of stuff inside, it has, until recently been to
cold for things to germinate around here (I live in Tacoma, zone 7) and
until recently we had a wet spring.

I almost alway start lettuce and spinach inside or in a hot box because of
the slugs. Also because these plants are good eating for just about any bug
that likes to eat plants. Therefore, if you let them get a good head start,
they can survive more insect onslaughts and bad weather.

Onions take a long time to germinate and are better started inside or
outside in the fall (depends on variety). It's much too early for basil.
Basil, to be germinated outside, needs 60 degree nights. Try starting it
inside and planting out near the beginning of June. Start seeds outside
near the end of June. Carrots need to be kept moist until they germinate,
and they can take up to three weeks to germinate (as can onions). Plant
more cilantro every two weeks if you want a constant harvest since this
goes to seed quite quickly once mature. Peppers should be started inside
6-8 weeks before your last frost, our season is too short to start them
outside.

For an organic bug deterrent try garlic barrier. You can buy it at a good
nursery in a concentrate, or you can make your own. Write me if you want a
recipe. If you mix a drop or two of dish soap in the mix you will kill soft
bodied insects like aphids. To find out what is eating your plants go out
at night with a flashlight.

>The first stuff I planted got about a 25% germination rate. I'm not sure
>why. I planted it as was said in teh book, one seed, with vermiculite and
>lots of seeds didn't germinate. The lettuce didn't come up at all, the
>spinach was pretty good, about 5 plants per plot, the radishes were better,
>beets...only got two, no onions, no basil, 5 or 6 carrots. Very
>dissapointing.
>
> and the cilantro has two plants out of three plots.
>Sigh. The spinach was looking great until last night when something ate
>holes in it. I looked under the leaves and found little rows of rice
>shaped, small "eggs" and removed them all by hand. Any idea what it is and
>ideas for treatment (organic, since my iguana will be eating

>. I just
>brought in 3 basil plants and 4 peppers and my second planting of carrots
>looks promising! Yay!

Don't give up yet. Is this your first garden ever? If so, even if it isn't,
I would suggest buying a few more books. Specifically the Sunset Western
Gardens guide, and the Rodales guide to growing fruits and vegetables. The
Sunset book is good for West/Northwest growers. The Rodale guide is a good
all around planting guide and it is totally organic. Another good (free)
thing to pick up is the Territorial Seed Catalog because it is FULL of
information on growing requirements and planting tips.

Good Luck,

Natalie (who is finally planting her tomato starts today)

*******************************
Natalie McNair-Huff
Publisher/Editor Mac Net Journal
http://www.blol.com/web_mnj/

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