I think you have answered your own question that it is the light exposure the various plants are getting, not the mix they are growing in.

All other factors being equal, sun exposure, or the lack of it, makes a big difference. It isn't the 5-1-1 that is the issue since no mix can compensate for less than ideal location/exposure.

Now add to that that both peppers and eggplant are naturally slower growing - especially until mid-summer heat temps arrive since they are both heat lovers - and you understand why they can't accurately be compared.to tomato plants anyway.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I'll report back in a few weeks or so when the summer heat kicks in.

Njitgrad,

What do you mean by "receives part shade depending upon the time of day." ?

I only ask because if they are receiving anything less than 6 hours of direct sun over the course of the day then they are growing in part shade.

Even 6 hours is not really ideal in my opinion, but we all have to work with the space we have. My gardens get 7 to 8 on average where I'm lucky.

If all the veggies are equally important to you, I'd move the eggplants and peppers to the sunny spot and the tomatoes to the partially shaded spot.

Is this because the summer heat hasn't really kicked in yet?
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Yes. I believe that is it.
What are your night lows? Under 50F? what are your day highs ? Under 73F?

Both peppers and eggplants need heat (as much as or more than light) to really take off. If your tomatoes are doing fine in the same condition then the only reason your pepps and eggps are not, is because of the lack of warmth.
I am also having the exact the same problem. I expect them to move within next 2 weeks as the weather warms up.

Okay, I'll keep an eye on the change in growth as we get a warmup this week. But I'm still concerned about the light green foliage in the garden as opposed to the rich dark green foliage on the side of the house with full sun.

To answer another question, my garden receives morning sun between 7am and 10am, then 12pm to 2pm and then again from 5pm-dark. This is because a large elm tree shades the garden from about 10am-12pm and then my house blocks the sun from about 2pm-5pm.

Agree about temps. As far as foliage color, most likely overwatering, but also could use a shot of N. Only you can determine which.

Kevin

Ok, good. It sounds like they are getting ample direct sun.

Some pics from this afternoon, three weeks after transplanting. You can see how the tomatoes next to my garage are doing great compared those in my garden.

A couple additional items of interest...

-This weekend I covered the raised beds with my first batch of compost of the season to serve as a mulch. I had to screen it first.

-Any powdery residue on foliage is from DE that I applied two weeks ago.

-I am already starting to see some brown spots and holes on my cuke leaves for the third year in a row. Seriously losing hope that I'll ever be able to get cukes to thrive in this garden. My older house just 5 miles away was cucumber heaven.

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