Growin' Greens

[Teenytoona]

I'm in Zone 5 (b?). I planted my greens right around the equinox in March. They didn't come up until May sometime, and they just aren't doing all that well. They're totally eaten up by slugs (and I have been putting out egg shells and beer traps). What's not eaten by slugs is growing very slowly, if at all. The greens I've tried (so far) are rainbow chard, spinach and lettuce. My lettuce hasn't even sprouted. They're in the southernish part of our yard, and under shade for part of the day. The rest of my garden looks alright, but my greens, well I just don't do them well I guess. I"m hoping to sort out the bugs because i'd like to grow more lettuce, some mustard and kale this fall. Any tips?

[Talula Fairie]

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[kittyhead]

snails get my greens, too. i like iron phosphate pellets to keep them away... this year we have been using a brand called Sluggo with great results. its safe around kids and pets and can be used on food plants.

[Close2Me]

I just had copper rain gutters put on my house and I asked for the scraps so I can make a blockade around some plants and supposedly if a snail touches copper it kills them. I've heard wood ash also does the trick. Google for more info...

[Owen'nZoe]

You know, this was a really bad year for greens in my yard, too. I didn't have the slug issue, but they just would. not. grow. I planted in mid April, and the spinach is still only about 2 inches high. I've been picking leaves from the lettuce here and there, but it is just getting to full-sized now, and usually it would have been done by now.

Was your spring cooler than normal where you are, too? Given the weather, your planting date sounds like it might have been a tad early. I am in 4B, so I certainly could be wrong, but maybe try planting a little later next year and see if they do better? As for the lettuce that hasn't sprouted yet, if it has been in the ground for 3 months and you've got nothing, I'd say those seeds are gone. You could replant for a fall crop of lettuce soon if you want to try again, or get a summer crop of something fast in that spot.

Good luck!

[Teenytoona]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

You know, this was a really bad year for greens in my yard, too. I didn't have the slug issue, but they just would. not. grow. I planted in mid April, and the spinach is still only about 2 inches high. I've been picking leaves from the lettuce here and there, but it is just getting to full-sized now, and usually it would have been done by now.

Was your spring cooler than normal where you are, too? Given the weather, your planting date sounds like it might have been a tad early. I am in 4B, so I certainly could be wrong, but maybe try planting a little later next year and see if they do better? As for the lettuce that hasn't sprouted yet, if it has been in the ground for 3 months and you've got nothing, I'd say those seeds are gone. You could replant for a fall crop of lettuce soon if you want to try again, or get a summer crop of something fast in that spot.

Good luck!

My dad always plants his in early March and has greens by April. He loves to brag about how well they survive the snow falls that inevitably occur between planting and being able to take first cutting. Our spring was typical for the area - some gorgeous spring days early on, then some snow, then some summer like days, then some spring days.

Yeah, I think the lettuce is a bad pack of seeds. Every time I try to plant them I get nada. I've tried in 3 different places now. Ah well.

I'm going to try fall crops of a few other greens in hopes that something wonderful will happen.

[greenmagick]

I can only grow greens in totally fenced off areas or all the critters get them.