Marianne's Response

Germination to maturity

I have 3 planters made of black cloth, and they are 10ft in diameter. I have mulched pine bark filling the planters to the brim. I also put worm castings in the pine bark. I have put about 40 okra plants that are about 3 inches tall in one planner, spacing them about 5 inches apart. I put jobes fertilizer spikes by each okra plant. Is that enough or do I need to add more and if so what do the okra plants need. Secondly, I have planted tomato, squash, beans, and carrots and they have just germinated and are peaking above the soil. What can I do at this early stage to ensure my plants will live and grow to maturity. Especially for tomatoes, what can I do?

Posted by Daniel Jones on May 3, 2022

Marianne's Response

You sound like you are doing everything right so at this time the thing to do is just enjoy watching your young plants grow. Feel the soil daily and do not water until the top inch is dry to the touch. Keep removing weeds. Protect from slugs and if you live in a very hot climate be ready with a shade cloth if the temperatures go above 90 degrees. Okra and tomatoes loves heat so you do not to protect these plants with a shade cloth if it gets warm. Enjoy your bountiful harvest this summer, Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

    Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library

    Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!

    My Topics

    View questions you submitted to Marianne in the past

    VIEW MY QUESTIONS