Segment 4 of S5E1 Garden questions answered - The Gardening with Joey and Holly radio show

The gardening with Joey and Holly Radio Show heard weekly March - Oct

Email your questions to [email protected] Or call 24/7 leave your
question at 1-800 927-SHOW
https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/

in segment 4 Joey and Holly answer your garden questions
Q: Every year I start plants inside from seed. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, peas, and so forth. Every year, the plants sprout, grow to 2-3 inches, then stall. They don't get any taller or stronger. Often, they stay alive but don't thrive. Sometimes, they seem to just dry out at the base of the stem (even though the soil is moist) and die. For those that survive, when it finally gets warm I put them outside but usually either they die at that time, or they are too small and don't grow enough to bear before the frost. So I always end up going to the nursery and buying plants instead. I am wondering what I am doing wrong.
I have used growing kits with those expanding soil discs and regular pots with potting soil. I have used various fertilizers such as liquid miracle-gro or granulated fertilizer formulated for tomatoes or vegetables. Nothing seems to make a difference.
I have no south-facing windows, so I have very limited direct sun in the house--just a few hours near an east-facing window in the morning. Plants get indirect or artificial light the rest of the day. Could that be the whole problem? If so, is there anything I can do? Or could it still be something else?
A::Thank you for your email/question and thank you for providing us the detailed information about how you are growing so we can best help you.
Starting Tomatoes, peppers and herbs indoors is good for peas. We would not recommend starting indoors as they have very sensitive roots and can get transplant shock easily. Direct sowing them is the best option for them.
As to the others, with the plants that dry out at the stem and die even though it is moist, that is a case of Damping off it is a disease of seedlings
Visible damping off fungus growing on an emerging seedling. Young leaves, roots and stems of newly emerged seedlings are highly susceptible to infection. Under certain environmental conditions, damping off pathogens can cause root rot or crown rot in mature plants. In most cases it will kill the seedling at an early stage. This is often caused by over watering. How to fix it, water less but also at the time of planting sprinkle a dusting of ground cinnamon over the planting area. You can water it and it will not affect the cinnamon. Cinnamon has antifungal properties that will help prevent damping off. Also a fan on low to keep air moving can help too.
Potting soil that has a slow release fertilizer works best. We buy local store brand, no national brand as you get more for your money and the store or local brand works better. this way you do not have to fertilize. if you do choose liquid fertilizer, choose an organic type or a compost tea this way the plants do not become dependent on it as synthetic fertilizer do.
As to the stunted seedling that live, the expandable peat pellets are great to start seeds in however they have not nurturance in them and are simple a medium to grow in so the plant grow in them for 3 to 4 weeks using up a
We recommend some type of grow light - like a happy leaf LED - which is more efficient and lasts longer than a regular tube grow light Happyleafled.com

Q: I'm interested in knowing if it is legal to turn the lawn in my backyard into a vegetable garden in Wauwatosa or not. Help information will be appreciated.
A: Most municipalities allow for backyard vegetable gardens. You would want to contact your local city hall to determine any specific rules and regulations. Also, before you dig a garden you want to call diggers hotline 3 business days before you dig.
Q Any reason I can't fill the bottom on my raised beds with pine needles? {our boxes are 26" tall}
A: Yes you could feel the bottom with pine needles it won(continued)