Argh! Careful planning ruined!

PotterWatch

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
316
Reaction score
50
Points
133
Location
Virginia
I planted a tray of seedlings sometime in the last few weeks. We have been having unseasonably warm weather so I had the pots in a plastic tray to help retain moisture. I put a few small holes in the bottom of the tray but I didn't want too much water draining out everyday since it was so warm. Last night we had rain. I knew it was supposed to rain somewhat but I figured the drain holes would keep the tray from getting too full. What I wasn't thinking of was that they tray was positioned just right to collect water coming off the roof :rolleyes: .
The tray was just slightly taller than the pots I used and when the drain holes couldn't keep up with how much water was coming in, the tray filled up and the pots were underwater.

I went out to check on things to discover this mishap and poured off the water. Some of the pots are still ok, but some of them lost most of their dirt and therefore their seeds. I took them all out of the tray and put them on my potting table where they can drain. I filled them back up with dirt and am hoping a fair number of them survive.

The worst part is that they got all jumbled up so now I don't know what is where. I had planted 15 different things but several different varieties of things like beans, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. I carefully diagramed where the pots were in the tray and wrote on the side of each pot what was in them. Well, the diagram is useless now since they were all moved around and the writing probably isn't there anymore as they are biodegradable pots and the ink has probably been washed away (they are too wet right now to see if the ink survived but I doubt it). I was trying so hard to be careful in my planning so I didn't lose track of things. Now it's all shot to heck. :barnie :hit
 

Collector

Garden Master
Joined
Sep 16, 2010
Messages
3,026
Reaction score
3,846
Points
337
Location
Eastern Wa. Zone 5/6 ?
Sorry to hear that, alot of hard work and careful planning going to waste. Hope you are able to salvage some of the stuff!
 

digitS'

Garden Master
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
25,890
Reaction score
29,332
Points
457
Location
border, ID/WA(!)
Might be the moment to start another tray, PW. Sorry you had this wash-out :/.

I have so much trouble keeping things straight but the problem occurs out in the garden.

I want nice slicing cucumbers but want to try some different varieties. So, I plant 3 or 4 different varieties that have that special look with all that appeal on the pages of the seed catalog!

Then, I lose the tags in the garden and don't know one from the other :hu.

Out there, my trick is to either hit the tags with the tiller or step on them. They don't serve much purpose below ground :/.

Steve
 

lesa

Garden Master
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
6,645
Reaction score
568
Points
337
Location
ZONE 4 UPSTATE NY
Shoot! The adventures of gardening!! Here's hoping you get lots of mystery seedlings!
 

vfem

Garden Addicted
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
7,516
Reaction score
39
Points
242
Location
Fuquay, NC
I am so sorry, that is just my kind of luck! I feel for you. I hope you have enough time to start again. :(
 

April Manier

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
592
Reaction score
5
Points
108
Location
Eugene, Oregon
I'm so sorry.

BUT we know God works all things for the good, so be looking for it! You never know what you might glean from this experience. Now that your carefully laid plans are done, maybe look at this as an adventure. Maybe bring your boys in on it and see if you can make a game out of your discoveries. Never miss a homeschooling/parenting moment to talk about this with your kids and build character. Life is full of curve balls, how we perceive them and choose to deal with them is what sets folks apart!
Blessing on your new adventure!
 

journey11

Garden Master
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
8,470
Reaction score
4,222
Points
397
Location
WV, Zone 6B
Oh, that's a bummer! I've badly abused tomato seedlings before and had them recover. Don't know about the rest though. Probably better start another flat just in case...
 

PotterWatch

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
316
Reaction score
50
Points
133
Location
Virginia
I am going to start more, I just don't know what to start! I think most of the beans and corn made it but I'm not entirely certain. I guess if I end up with too many, I can gift the started plants to other people...
 

Latest posts

Top