Deficiencies may occur during a period of wet or dry, result from a regular amendment or application. There are many chemical and biological transactions within the soil with many nutrients influenced by other nutrients. Over a growing season even the plants have influence with their demand for specific nutrients. Any change in the physical structure of soil will impact on nutrient availability and the soil organisms. The presence of organic matter and moisture are also important. A soil test is only one tool, the management practices are also noteworthy. Boron is just one of the nutrients of concern. It has a major role in facilitating internal flow of nutrients. Copper has a key role in cell wall formation. Shortage of either is normally first evident on leaf growing tips. Consistent moisture does ensure flow of nutrients. Even a brief dry period can collapse cells. A tissue assessment would give a more detailed view of the causes. Good soil management remains a priority. Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Nutrition

Hi there, I think its a little pest that burrows in between the leaf layers to lay eggs. the larvae eat the holes, starting with the clear spots, then all the way through as they grow up. If I could only remember the name...... Using a homemade soap spray might help to wash off the parent pests. Once they are inside it's pretty tough. It's still edible, just not as pretty, and has extra protein from those bugs, eh. I hope you find a way that works out for you!

So here's part two of my question/mystery. A month ago I planted the Swiss chard mentioned above. It was all under cages with holes that are about 2 x 4 inches. A week later, half of the chard was completely gone . All of it was under one cage so I figured something got under a gap between the ground. The other group of chard was fine that first week. And the second week. And the third week. But when I checked it last night (the fourth week) all of the chard was gone! (I can only get to my garden on the weekends). The cage wasn't moved at all. What do you think happened here? Is is just baby rabbits? If so, why did they wait so long to finish the job they started a month ago? So far this year about 75% of what I planted is no longer living (and it wasn't harvested by me!). Very depressing.

Insect damage could be grasshoppers (on any growth), cabbage loopers/worms (on any growth), slugs/snails (especially on the new growth) or something I haven't encountered depending on where you live. Since you're noticing new leaf damage in the morning, I'd suspect snails and/or slugs, which are easily taken care of by dropping Sluggo on the surface of your potting mix around the plant. Cabbage loopers, either checking for eggs constantly, spraying BT or putting your tulle back on. Tulle would also work for grasshoppers as long as the leaves aren't touching it (here they'll chew right through tulle if the leaves touch it for some reason, and leave it alone if they don't). No idea on the bumpy orange areas, could just be environmental damage but again I'm not sure. You can still eat damaged leaves, just not pretty but still ok to eat after washing well. Or just cut off the damaged parts and eat around them if it grosses you out.