AboutJim Kennard Expertise I can answer questions on vegetable gardening - Raised Beds, Container, Soil-Beds, "Poor Man's Hydroponics", Organic, etc.
Experience Gardened using The Mittleider Method for 30 years. Conducted seminars, college-level training programs, produced 80 video lectures, written hundreds of gardening articles, answered thousands of gardening questions, created a gardening website www.foodforeveryone.org with free ebook, free greenhouse plans, FAQ section with 355 gardening articles.
Organizations Food For Everyone Foundation - President - Mission is "Teaching the world to grow food one family at a time."
Publications Numerous website publications
Education/Credentials Taught personally for 20 years by Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider, "The Garden Doctor", assisted him in creating and conducting major gardening training projects in America and Russia.
Awards and Honors Master Mittleider Gardening Instructor
Question Hello I Live in the High desert in southern california (U.S)and i recently planted cucumbers,watermelon,corn,tomatoes,canteloup,pumpkin,and carrots in small containers. At least 3 to 4 seeds are placed in each "hole". now they are begining to sprout but now all of them are dying. Im using good fertilizers and proper watering. But still, they are dying. This past week the temperature has been at a constant 100-103 F and the small seed starter containers are placed in full, direct sunlight. maybe the heat? why are my plants dying? Thanks!
Answer You should try getting them some relief from the sun and heat. Temperatures over 100 are very hard on new plants.
How is the drainage in your containers. If you have standing water in them the roots will suffocate.
What fertilizers are you using, and how much are you applying? It takes only very small amounts to feed plants, and if you apply too much you can kill them with the salinity. More salt in the soil solution than is in the plant will cause reverse osmosis and the plant fluids will be drawn out, killing the plant if it's not corrected quickly.
Look at www.growfood.com in the Learn section. Go to Fertilize and you will discover the best natural mineral nutrient mix, along with instructions on how much to use.
You are also planting too close together, and while that is not likely the cause of the plants dying right now it will become a big problem when the plants grow bigger.
Best wishes for success,
Jim Kennard, President
Food For Everyone Foundation
www.foodforeveryone.org
