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Vegetable garden doing very poorly this year #879590

Asked July 31, 2024, 1:06 PM EDT

My tomato and pepper plants and to a lesser degree cucumbers on trellis all have very stunted growth this year. All plants and planting procedures same as in past years, but plants just not ever getting big and robust growth as in past. Tomatoes are producing but in much smaller amounts, same for bell and poblano peppers. Cucumbers have escaped wilting from cucumber beetle but very small harvest per number of plants that came up and climbed trellis. I wonder if very hot temps in May and June have contributed to this stunted growth. Very disappointing as last year’s harvest was very abundant and this year I will have enough produce for my small household only. I have been organic gardening for many years and do not remember having this issue. Zucchini are producing as normal as well as green beans and cherry tomatoes. I use a cover crop of winter rye and have for about last 5 winters. It is dug into soil or left as much under newspapers and straw mulch before planting vegetables. Watering as needed based on rainfall amounts. Thank you for any advice you can provide.

Montgomery County Ohio

Expert Response

This summer has been a nightmare for many gardeners. Where I am, we have basically had a month of drought with high heat and humidity. Others have had deluges. Few are happy.
Here, however, is an excellent article that speaks to your questions: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1618. it can be each of the suggestions or merely 1-2. AND, reading and following the suggestions should have you feeling more confident when you grow again next year.
don't give up; keep trying.

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