In NC zone 8b. Planted everything from seed (except tomatoes and peppers) about 3 weeks ago. Everything germinated in under a week but since then progress seems to have slowed to a crawl. I’m a first timer so idk if my expectations are too high ? Everything gets full sun for 10+ hours a day and I do a deep water every other day (soil is dry 1-2 in down every time I water). Soil is mixture of compost and top soil. Tomatoes are transplants and also seem super slow moving.
First 2 pics are zucchini, then cucumbers, carrots, arugula, tomatoes, pole beans
by Top-Award-7982
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Mine has too. I think it’s the weather this year. We’ve had such a mild spring.
I’m in north Texas (8a) and we’ve had just the most schizophrenic weather this spring. 25, 95, 30, 85, 30 again…it’s so frustrating. Nothings dead, but nothing’s growing, either. It feels like it’s simultaneously too soon and too late to plant anything.
Mine has too. I think it’s the weather this year. We’ve had such a mild spring.
I live in Southern California and plant flower seeds towards the end of February every year. Usually I have a sea of sprouts by this time but, this year, it’s so sporadic. Our weather has been odd including very little rain and a couple of out of place heat waves. I’m hoping our spring brings more showers to help the little seeds along
Mine has too. I think it’s the weather this year. We’ve had such a mild spring.
Might need some high nitrogen fertilizer, compost tea, “liquid urea solution” etc.
I’m not the most experienced gardener nor composter, but I do have some years doing both, and I’d say that compost looks a little woody, and not as finished as one would ideally like to see. If the wood is still decomposing, my understanding is that it ties up nitrogen in the soil during that process, especially if there’s a lot of those wood chips.
Edit: It’s definitely not the worst I’ve seen, and I don’t think it’s a “dig those plants out to save them” kind of situation, but some kind of high nitrogen amendment might help. One sign of nitrogen deficiency can be plants that aren’t as green as you’d expect, and are more yellow. It’s certainly not the ONLY thing that can cause yellowing, but there’s a correlation there with visibly still-chunky wood-chip compost.
And lastly, I also agree that weather has been a little weird this spring, at least where I am. That can stunt some growth too. Best of luck!
Every pic you posted, the plants look healthy and happy. Nothing to worry about that I’m seeing.
I think something the other comments here have failed to consider is that we’ve had a mild spring.
I do agree with you though. Im in NC as well, and my tomatoes, peas, and zucchini have been slow to get going. My broccoli is doing quite well however. It could be that the specific varieties you’ve planted just aren’t handling the temperature swings as well, which I’ve heard can be a real problem with cucurbits
Same here in 7b
Your soil looks dry as a popcorn fart!
Cold soil can slow growth a lot. Be patient, enjoy the process, and you’ll learn for next year!
I would put some mulch down between the rows to help with water retention, moderate soil temp, control weeds and add organic matter to the soil. Grass clippings, straw or dried leaves work well.
Same here, in an 8a zone. Weather’s been all over the place. Two actual frosts since planting, but all plants in the garden survived since the garden is close to the house (and receives warmth from it) and I did tricks to save them with anti-frost blankets.
But, like yours, they’re not dead but they’re also not thriving. They seem kinda stuck. Afraid to grow.
You need to get some fertilizers and moisture into that dry compacted mulch you planted in asap.
They look a little bit yellow, were they hardened off? Otherwise maybe one hit of water soluble fertilizer.