Quite timely advice, Dawn! I've been searching for solutions to "pepper plants yellowing" and I suspect this is the problem. They really haven't grown very much either. I've lost a total of 5 out of the 30 I've planted, most of which I contributed to shock when I planted them. The surviving ones are turning yellow. Now - on the 2 marconi and 2 sweet banana's that I purchsed - they're doing fine. Even have a few blooms, but the ones I raised from seed are really having a hard time. We dry out pretty fast here because we have so much sand so should I give them some foliar nutrition? or just some epson salt or Ironite? With the cooler than expected temps, seems most everything around here has quit growing.

Paula

For container plants, I have also found that moving the containers to protected locations helps them avoid water logged situations. Rain water is good for them, but too much is not. This can also help keep the foliage a bit drier.

I have two huge Austrian Pines with very dense foliage, and I moved my Tomato, Basil, and other containers under them where they've been getting some sun, but they are afforded some protection from the damaging winds, rain, and hail. These plants suffered the least, very minimal in fact, damage in Sunday's hail storm.

Also keeps the fertilizers from leaching out more quickly as well.

Doesn't help plants in the ground, but I do what I can in this kind of weather.

Susan

Hi Paula,

I'd try any food that you can spray directly on the leaves so they'll absorb it that way. Since you have sandy soil, I doubt waterlogging is hurting them (unless your water table is quite high there?). If you don't have really wet soil at the present time, you could try any water-soluable fertilizer, including Epsom salts, as a soil drench. I haven't notice yellowing of leaves on peppers in the ground, but mine are in raised beds. I can't remember if yours are in raised beds or at grade level.

As much "weather" as you've had there, I suspect that heavy rain may be leaching nutrients out of the soil before the roots can absorb them. That's a problem with sandy soil and sandy loam...nutrient leaching in heavy rainfall.

And, yes, many of my plants have stalled since last week, but looked better yesterday and today...just in time for the weather to hit them again.

This year's garden seems to take one step forward and then two steps back. I suspect we'll be taking about what a difficult year 2010 was for our gardens for a long, long time.

We have our own version of "Survior: Oklahoma Garden" going on!

Dawn

I've used and still use most of the products Dawn mentioned. And often I use what is handiest when I feel I need something. One product I used for the first time last summer I've really had good results with so far in a Bonnies liquid plant food. I will look I think it might be organic but not sure. I used it on container plants last year. Spraying the transplants as I put them in the ground this year. You can also drench with it. I just use a hose end sprayer and spray it.

Dawn yes my year has been a yo-yo type already. So far I haven't noticed anymore damage to my onions. Should be able to tell soon. I noticed white heads showing up in some of the wheat fields today. I imagine that is from the freeze around 2 weeks ago. Farming and gardening here isn't for the faint of heart.

I guess I'd better head outside and see what I can get done tonight. I will probably work mainly on the containers and give the garden another day or so to dry. The wind has picked up. And they are saying possible 90's by Saturday. Was frost last Thursday morning. Jay

Susan,

That's a great point and I'm glad you mentioned it. Earlier this evening, I moved all my containers that I could either into the garage or under the patio cover. Nothing is happening here now, but we are expecting rain later and they don't need more water right now.

Jay,

On The Weather Channel, a storm chaser just mentioned seeing flattened fields of wheat but didn't say exactly where. I'm afraid the wheat farmers in northern and central OK are taking a big hit today.

For us, the 90s are in the forecast too and I don't want them! My broccoli hasn't gotten large enough to harvest yet and if the 90s arrive too soon, it won't.

Dawn

Dawn - mine are in the Salsa Garden which was west of the drive where you parked at the Spring Fling. It was the smaller of the 2 fenced areas. The larger one is on the east. There is a bit of a slope in that garden, so I suspect you're correct. The rains are washing the nutrients before the plants can absorb them. I think I need to "terrace" that area a bit. GD is coming to spend the nite on Friday so Saturday, I'd bet she'll help me with this project.

My brocs aren't doing worth a hoot either! I've got 50...and 2 have bolted. The others have very small heads forming. AND...there are about 8 or so that the grasshoppers have stripped!

Thanks for the reassurance!! (and the weather warnings!)

Paula

Paula,

You're welcome on all counts.

I was really worried about y'all. The storms came hot and heavy and in quick succession for a while.

Oh, what a May we are having! I am sure the plague of grasshoppers will hit statewide shortly. It's that kind of year.

Dawn