dirt forming a crust--ready to give up

[lkmiscnet]

I'm ready to give up gardening, as I'm so disappointed in nothing working out for me. I end up with so many dead plants each spring. And, I'm getting a ton of these stupid propellar leaf-shaped weeds this year EVERYWHERE!

I posted previously about less than 1% of my seeds sprouting (if that). Someone had a great tip on making seed tape, so I just came in from planting that just now. We'll see...

I'm wondering if there is such a thing as cheap seeds and you get what you pay for. Some of my veggies seeds were $.20 packets from Walmart. Could that be the reason they didn't sprout? Though even some of the "better" quality packets of seeds didn't work out either.

Also, the other major issue is that the soil keeps crusting over. I can't hoe around the few sprouts that I have because I will uproot them, though I did hoe the soil before putting the new seed tape down. However, the dirt is going to crust over again. I keep hoeing and hoeing where I can and it keeps forming a crust. So, now with the hoped for new seedlings, what do I do about the crusting. Will that create a problem? It seems like the water will just run off.

I diligently put bagged steer compost on the garden every spring before planting, so the soil should be good quality and feels like it when I work it.

I just want to cry (and have) because I've been working on my garden (both flower and veggie) for 12 years and end up with so many dead plants every spring. I have amended it with everything, even planting a cover crop of rye over the fall a couple of years ago.

Any advice before I throw in the shovel...or throw the shovel at something?

[emnic77]

I'm wondering if there is such a thing as cheap seeds and you get what you pay for. Some of my veggies seeds were $.20 packets from Walmart. Could that be the reason they didn't sprout? Though even some of the "better" quality packets of seeds didn't work out either.

Yes. This is likely a major part of your problem...I suggest ordering from a seed company that can provide germination rates (baker creek, seed savers exchange, johnny's select seeds, even burpee if you aren't doing heirloom/organic/anti-monsanto). What seeds have you used in the past that have worked, or have you always used wal-mart style seeds?

My soil crusts, I just water like normal and weed and it's fine for direct sow style crops. I wouldn't worry about it - just use potting soil for seedlings you start indoors, the more delicate tomatoes and peppers and such.

Sorry, this must be really frustrating.

[lunarlady]

I hate cheep seeds. I usually get very poor germination rates from them (less than 40%). Terrible! So I would say that could be part of the problem.

Weeds are a pain. I use newspaper and mulch to keep them at bay as much as possible. Once plants are established, a little mulch around their base will help keep soil moist and prevent the crusting from being so terrible. I love my hoop hoe, and strongly suggest one for any body with hard soil. Rather than breaking it up (and breaking your back!) you just scrape it back and forth to cut the tops of weeds.

Good luck.

[sunnysandiegan]

First of all, I can only imagine your frustration!

Next, I would evaluate your soil more closely. Talk to other gardeners in your immediate area. Chat with employees in local nurseries (not WM or Target or Home Depot or Lowes or the like, but a real nursery) about typical soil conditions and mention the amendments you have made and the issues you are having. A test might be useful, too. Not every area needs the same amendments, so it is critical to get advice from YOUR specific area. From all my reading and talking with local experts, soil is really the key. We did a lot of work with our soil (years of free/low-cost/easy things) before ever planting a thing. It is paying off big time!

For weed control, I do the same as the PP. I use newspaper and mulch. Give new plants a little space around their bases, so they can breathe and grow.

I switched from WM seeds/plants years ago. I get top-quality advice and plants/seeds from a local, family-owned nursery and I buy less to offset the cost difference. The benefits are immeasurable because things actually GROW and the advice is from real gardeners, so it WORKS. I'd say the net effect is I am saving money long-term.

Age of seeds makes a difference, too. The nursery I buy from rotates stock and has fresher seeds than the "box" stores. I also learned from the gardeners there that I needed to only buy seeds right before I planned to start them. Don't buy a bunch with good intentions. I forgot them and they lost their prime time and never germinated when I got around to them.

Best wishes!

[cschick]

If your soil forms a hard crust, a good thing to do is to wet it down, go for a few minutes and water something else, then come back and fully water the veggie garden. The first wetting down helps soften the crust (water will run off then) and once it's softened the water absorbs better.

[laohaire]

I would imagine the 20 cent packs are priced thus because they are old. Germination rates go down the older the seeds are, particularly if they haven't been stored properly. So, yeah, I think spending a buck or so per packet from a reputable company is totally worth it.

If you are worried about water running off the crust and not watering the plant roots, my idea is this - when you plant the seeds in the first place, make a shallow depression first. Then plant in the middle of it. So the water will sort of pool into that area. (Obviously this assumes you have good drainage).

And I just wanted to say I completely understand the frustration. I've been trying to grow plants ever since we moved into this house 5 years ago, and I've totally failed until this year. I mean TOTAL FAILURE - not able to get ONE edible thing. Tomatoes never even flowered. Basil just died. I'd even plant starts of various things inside and they'd germinate and die almost right away. One time I got some starts going and planted them outside and my husband came along 20 minutes later and weedwhacked them. Yeah, I completely cried. I have definitely cried several times about these failures. I've slowly figured out a few things though (sun issues were probably my major ones) and this year I have a small garden GROWING.

[Ghislaine]

I've had similar germination problems, even with new good quality seeds. I just plant 3-4 seeds in each spot I want my plants. If more then one comes up then I get to pick the strongest and pluck the rest!

I also had soil that crusted over in the raised beds I built this year. My mom suggested adding Perlite and that seems to have done the trick. It didn't take much either!

[lkmiscnet]

The .20 seed packets I used are the "American Seed" brand--"Finest Quality Since 1897" from Walmart. I did buy other seeds from Lowe's, and even those didn't thrive.

The sell by date is 12/2010 on all my packets.

I did take a sample of my soil to a local garden nursery and they said the soil looked like it was really good quality, but yet, nothing seems to survive.

In one shaded area of my flower garden, the soil gets so heavy and clumpy that it seems the roots can't break through or they suffocate when we get frequent summer rains, as the dirt just gets heavy and wet. I have added all sorts of amendments, as I've been told it is likely clay, but it hasn't made a difference.

It seems hostas are the only thing that thrive, so I have divided and planted them everywhere I can. I haven't found a good "can't kill it" plant for the sunny spots though. I was given rose campion divisions last summer by a neighbor and they did well last summer, but this year, most did not come back. Sigh...I do have a LOT of never before seen weeds that look like rose campion leaves. I hope it didn't self sow and spread everywhere. I mean it's everywhere.

Well, like every year, I'll keep trying...groan.

[laohaire]

Well, one thing you might do is figure out if you have a germination issue (i.e. the seeds are the problem) versus a soil/light/water issue. It would be too bad to be spreading your efforts around if you can pinpoint the issue.

If you have any seeds left from this year's packets, take 5 of each (or whatever) and germinate them in a damp cloth. (I use a pie plate or other flat dish, put a dishtowel or other cloth in it, put the seeds on the cloth, wet the cloth and cover with the wet cloth). Check daily and water as needed. Whether you do something with the seeds or not you can see your germination rates.

Next, if you're willing to try this and if you think there is something wrong with your soil, maybe give container gardening a whirl. Get fairly big containers, fill with commercial potting soil (or even better, a mixture of your own compost and dirt, or something) and put your sprouts in there. The drawback of container gardening, imho, is the water. You have to spend more effort ensuring the soil is wet enough (or, alternatively, it can be easier to drown a plant in a pot if there's too much water). The pot dries out quicker than the ground.

Anyway, just some ideas.

Also, and this maybe is a dumb question, but do you have any young children (babies or toddlers)? Or maybe are you even pregnant? This sounds kind of out there but I've found myself, and then had this corraborated by a few other people, that when I'm growing a baby (in or out of the womb), I can't seem to grow a plant. I'm not that woo-woo but I sometimes think that all my life-giving energy goes into the baby (good) and there's nothing left for the plants.

[mattemma04]

I get those cheap seeds.Also spend $$$$ online for organics.Some packets don't grow well regardless of the money I spent. If I can I usually start out in pots so I can see what does grow,and then I replant it into the soil.

My soil is hard clay.The plants get the best soil from the mix I use to first start growing them,and I add a handful of dirt when I replant.

Keep trying.It is amazing what will grow in bad soil. I have to re-weed areas constantly.Wish that used up more calories.

I have seeds that are a few years old,and some will grow.I never had any luck with melons and eggplants,but I keep trying.One year I will get them going.

Consider some GROUND CHERRIES. I got some last year and loved those and tomatillos.Forgot where I got that specific packet from,but I know Bountiful garden(CA) sells them. I have had good luck with their seeds.All except the breadseed poppy.
http://www.bountifulgardens.org/

Diane seeds is also good.http://www.dianeseeds.com/

[ArcticRose]

OP.. I am right there with you! I am so ready to just quit! Completely discouraged. Disgusted. Sad. Down right depressed!

I have three square foot gardens going and a tilled area. Nothing will grow in either. Or I should say they won't keep growing. All our seeds sprouted... but then stopped! I have chard that is 1/4 inch tall.. and has been for about 6 weeks. Ditto with my beets. And the corn. And the beans. And the squash.

I bought tomato plants about 8 weeks ago. They have barely grown at all.

A neighbor gave me two extra tomato plants she had. I can see the ones she kept, they are huge and lush... the two she gave me are scraggly and sad.

What is wrong????

We have had almost no sun.. and a lot of rain, which could excuse some of my troubles.. except for the fact that other gardens in the area seem to be fine.

To top it all off.. a deer came through last week and stripped our four little fruit trees bare of foliage and new growth.

I wonder how far I can throw that shovel?

[laohaire]

Is your yard shady? That sounds like my situation, and I know it's a sunlight problem. (Confirmed, since I have created a new raised bed garden, with WORSE soil than the original but more sun, and it's finally working). Everything would sprout and expect to see the sun - and then not grow after that. Some plants just outright died. Most just never grew past a certain (very small) point, and certainly never flowered. How much sun are your beds getting?

[ArcticRose]

All of my gardening area gets full sun almost all day... or it should. I live in the Pacific Northwest and we have had NO sun for weeks and weeks. I can't believe this is June! I don't remember ever having such a dreary April/May/June.

And rain... tons of rain! I usually love rain... but even I am thoroughly sick of it.

And don't get me started on the slugs!

I just don't understand how my neighbours gardens can thrive while mine stagnates. They aren't getting any sun either.

Ugh, I sound like such a whiner. I'm not, really! I'm just so incredibly frustrated. All that work and no results.