| My pea seedlings rot at ground level - what's the problem, and how can I fix it? |
| It sounds like your seedlings are suffering from damping off, a fungus that attacks in damp condtions. It's sometimes stimulated by applications of nitrogen fertizer, so wait until pea seedlings have at least three true leaves before feeding them. Build raised beds for your earliest plantings to improve drainage, and as weather warms, cover the soil with mulch, as peas don't like too much heat around their roots. Good air circulation is important, too, since it dries soil surface, which discourages fungal growth. Space or thin seedlings to 2-3", and pull infected plants as soon as you detect a problem. Hope this helps! |
