Plants – Not Enough Light
Posted on 25. May, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Outdoors
About a month ago we thought we were so smart and special when we started our vegetable garden indoors from seed. Our seedlings were very cute. They looked like this:
But then things started to go bad.
Oh, the writing was on the wall when I received an email from someone whose agricultural advice I respect; the writer was alarmed by the state of our seedlings. The writer kindly drew our attention to the fact that the seedlings looked too tall and skinny, which meant that they were looking for more light.
“Too tall?” I said. “Not enough light? Pshaw, my seedlings are perfect. I can do no wrong when it comes to country living. Just because I don’t know how to do laundry and I’m pretty much incompetent in most other farm spheres, I’ll show you, just you wait. My seedlings are perfect and will continue to be perfect. Just you wait!”
…A week or two goes by…
They weren’t getting enough light, and I think I forgot to water them, too.
In case you can’t quite tell what’s going on in that picture, I killed all our seedlings. They are d-e-a-d.
But I think it’s only natural. Plants weren’t meant to be started indoors, right?
Rufus Monk
May 26th, 2009
Poor little plants! Don’t feel bad, though – I doubt I would have even got them peeking above the soil. I did have that cactus that lived one time…
Why S?
May 26th, 2009
I hope you weren’t depending on them for dinner tonight.
peter
May 26th, 2009
Maybe they are hibernating and waiting for winter to pass. Then they will wake up in spri…. Oh wait did you say seedlings??? Dang they are dead. Looks like you would be a great plant terminator. Don’t worry I did the same thing a few years back. I just had to start from scratch and learn from my faults.
Kerry
May 26th, 2009
That’s why garden centers sell those little packs of four tomato plants that are all ready to plant. Instant garden!
CWJ
May 26th, 2009
“Koers the Kale Killer”…my, my.
Julie K.
May 26th, 2009
Maybe I won’t ask you to teach me about gardening LOL
Natalie
May 26th, 2009
OOooooooh dear.
But you know, you can still plant seeds directly in the garden! There is still time for you to murder outdoor plants1 ;)
Freda
May 26th, 2009
Chin up, put on a big smile and get the sets at the store. They are so much easier and seldom very many problems.
Go for it!!!!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 26th, 2009
Lol, I know, I am hopeless.
christy
May 26th, 2009
you make me laugh!! the only way to get better is to try try again! so i agree, go buy vegetable plants at a greenhouse :).
Vicki
May 26th, 2009
There is always next year!
kerry
May 26th, 2009
looks like everything i’ve tried to grow in the last five years.
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 27th, 2009
Kerry – Good! Now I don’t feel so bad. :)
Michelle
May 28th, 2009
Oh my gosh! That is too funny. My man is diligent about his seedlings and with our loverly outdoor room which still has its vinyl ‘winter’ window coverings, the seedlings are doing rather well. I really must get my camera on them so I can show the progress.
Do buy some rhubarb to plant and strawberries. From about 8 strawberry plants, I was able to make a couple doz. small jars of freezer jam. You’ll really appreciate any garden goodies that make it to the freezer when there’s 3 ft. of snow outside.
brenna
Jul 8th, 2009
LJ, this happens to me too. I try to give them enough light but they just never seem to get enough. I surrender!