Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Big, Fat Failure

.
If you've been around here for a while, you might remember back in March when I posted about my seeds from Italy.  I always grow tomatoes and herbs and lots of flowers, but I had never started anything from seed before.  Well, everything started out good enough.  The seeds were planted and watered and looked after everyday.  They sprouted and started growing!
.
.
.
See - they were growing!  And then, they just stopped.  The seedlings didn't get any bigger and they started to turn yellow.  I'm not sure where I went wrong - Not enough light, too much light?  Too much water, not enough water?  Not warm enough?  Maybe I should have re-potted them to larger pots? 
.
I did manage to salvage a few of the zinnias.  They are slowly but surely getting larger.  No buds yet, but hopefully soon.
.
.
A few of my basil seedings also survived.
.
.
But the mint and oregano never had a chance!  I ended up buying plants from the nursery.
.
.
I also bought basil to get me by until my basil seedlings are large enough to use.
.
.
.
I couldn't live without homegrown tomatoes, so I bought those at the nursery too.  They have really taken off in the last couple of weeks - I think they have already tripled in size.  I have one Roma plant and one called Santa (a grape tomato variety).
.
.
.
I'm hoping for lots of tomatoes soon!
.
.
I'm pretty disappointed with my seedlings, but who knows, I might give it another try again next spring. 
.

25 comments:

  1. kudos to you for trying! i manage to kill all plants. sometimes i wonder how my children are still alive...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sure that's so frustrating! I'm not an expert, but usually yellow leaves mean too much water.

    Your plants look gorgeous! I'm sure these will turn out much better.

    I've never had the guts to try to grow from seed. Good for you for giving it a shot!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was supposed to try a small garden this year but it didn't work out...I kind of chickened out and the spot where we were going to plant had a lot of clay. Good luck with your tomatoes and herbs!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I hope you get some tomatoes from your potted plants. Ours never did produce last year. Grew flowers and then no tomatoes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have almost no luck at all with seeds. Don't know what it is, because I live in an area where it is so humid most everything grows. I mostly buy plants from the nursery so I'm not disappointed.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have gone the seed route before, but always have more success if I buy plants. That is with the exception of basil seed which I sprinkle around all of my potted tomatoes. Better luck next year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think I got a little carried away with the tomato plants...I planted 12. {for just me!} But several of them are sungolds/cherry toms for salads. I also planted 2 Romas so I could dry them. Maybe I will open up a tomato stand in my front yard.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have never had much luck growing things from seed. Martha makes it look so easy. I am frustrated because the slugs are eating everything along with a bunny - I feel like throwing in the towel!

    I do have basil in pots though - love fresh tomatoes, bococcini (sp?) and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil and salt!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow the plants look great- so sorry about your seedlings. It can be frustrating. In past years I've had some turn yellow at the base of the stem then soon the entire plant is yellow and soggy and dead- this was from overwatering which produced a fungus at the base of the stem. If yours were all crispy and yellow it's not from overwatering- they could have burned from too strong/too much light (or about a thousand other things- they are so vulnerable at this stage).

    My tomatoes haven't grown an inch! We had beautiful weather up until I planted the garden. Since then it's been cooler than usual and gray/rainy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don't give up..try again next year! Thanks for taking us on a tour. Your plants look great! We plant our tomatoes the exact same way and have them on the deck, too!
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is too bad they didn't grow! I wish I could grow tomatoes at my house, but the deer are everywhere here and I think they'd get eaten. Either that or I have a black thumb, probably both!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just love all of the green. I have snails everywhere ans my poor garden is suffering. I have a dog too so we have to be cautious of what we use to kill any insect.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Despite that some didn't make it, I think your garden looks great! :). I loved your font art despite the fact that I missed out on the great frame deal at Target :). Just a head's up on the textile outlet: I didn't see any name brand fabrics - it was A LOT of a bunch of different fabrics. Tons of fabrics for draperies, reupholstering, making pillows, clothes, prom dresses, etc. So if you're going in hopes of finding tons of great Amy Butler fabric, this isn't the place for you - but if you just want to walk around and see fabric after fabric of potential projects then you'll love it! :)
    My sewing class was great - I'll be blogging about it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am sucker for earthen pots with greens in them. I can actually smell your basil, mint and oregano...they are so fresh and green. Two thumbs up!

    ReplyDelete
  15. i just love your whole collection. even tho nothing is doing much now, they still look good with the terracotta pots and greens. i just found a huge eggplant on my plant that i am super excited about.

    will you accept a blog award? i need to post about it, but i wanted to see if i could use a pic of yours with the post.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just potted herbs and veggies too. Your blog is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a shame you were disappointed Alissa. The basil and the mint look good in your pots. I am also trying some red basil this year, must do a photo to show you sometime, which I saw here for sale a few weeks ago, new to me!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh no! I am so sorry about your seedlings. But your plants from the nursery look like they are thriving.
    Traci

    ReplyDelete
  19. Regardless, your seedlings and bought plants look so lush.
    I might just have to try this.
    Dana

    ReplyDelete
  20. We had seeds this year, but we decided not to try to plant them since we started so late. Instead, we did what you ended up doing and bought plants from the nursery. We tried to grow them in pots, as you are, and they're starting to wilt. So we may transfer them into the ground. Our tomatoes are taking off as well too, though! Very proud! I love home grown tomatoes. :)

    Following (better late than never) for Tuesday Tag Along. :) I hope you decide to come and follow me back. :) I currently have a $25 Walmart gift card giveaway going on!

    http://theartsymom.tk

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh man, so sorry about the seedlings. There's always next year. :) The rest of your plants look great and super healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can't believe how healthy everything else looks. You must be doing something right...I wouldn't worry about the tomato seeds.

    Happy gardening and best wishes for a fabulous weekend,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I fail at seeds as well...umm two years in a row. So I am officially giving up and just buying the suckers from now on and admit defeat. Your garden looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, I had a similar issue this year! The seedlings I started indoors...massive fail. I did have some luck with those I planted outside from the get-go, though. Your plants are gorgeous no matter how you came by them!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Totally not a product plug, I promise! That said, I have started all of my herbs and vegetables from seed for the last two years, and they are ALL (with the exception of cilantro) growing like crazy!! We bought an AeroGarden a couple of years ago, and one of the accessories you can buy is a seed starter tray. It comes with great directions on how to time your plantings, how to transplant them, everything. And now my back patio looks like a jungle! :) But a yummy smelling, happy kitchen jungle!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment - each & every one makes me happy.

I respond to your questions via email. If you leave a question in a comment, please make sure to leave your email address in your comment or that it is linked to your account. Otherwise I will not be able to respond!

 

© 2009-2014 33 Shades of Green. All Rights Reserved. | Blog Design By Brittany Douglas

09 10