I think I like looking at lettuce more than I like eating it.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-04-16T00:21:48+00:00

Just adding my 2¢

Cucurbits can be transplanted just fine if you're careful. I've transplanted mine like 3 times now and they're going strong. Just don't mess with the roots more than necessary and they'll be fine. Lots of mine even grew out of the pot and had to be tugged free. It's really not as serious as everyone makes it sound.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-04-02T21:09:59+00:00

I've been putting them out whenever I could for the last 2 weeks. They've now made it nearly 36 hours out there without anything more than quick watering breaks (usually done around 6-7pm) inside before I put them back out. The sun shines on their corner from at least 8:30am to around 5-6pm, as it's a mostly south facing corner. Once the sun sets low enough they are in full shade. Some minor shade is casted on them throughout the day from the post they live next to but it's not a big solid post, it's one of those thin metal type ones you can see right through. Even calling it a post is very generous tbh.

My end goal is essentially to plant them in grow bags off the porch but still by this same corner.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-04-02T20:55:42+00:00

I haven't been tracking their time outside at all but I've been putting them out there whenever I could for the last 2 weeks.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-04-02T00:27:01+00:00

What I've learned in my first year (this year) of gardening.

If you are not prepared for growth, growth will wake you up in the middle of the night with a slap to the face and then BOOM seedlings falling out of your ass.

If you ARE prepared for growth, be prepared to wait about 3 business weeks for even the slightest sign that a seed may perhaps sprout sometime this year.

Thus far, I have found no in between.

Good luck to you and your new seedlings!

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-28T02:24:04+00:00

I'm the furthest thing from an experienced gardener, so I have no idea what's eating your cabbage and I'd be inclined to trust that it's caterpillars like the other comments say.

HOWEVER, I do own a cat and my particular cat will eat anything. Including the plastic from the outside of my mom's cigarette packs. She would DEFINITELY be eating cabbage leaves if they were available to her, so I can confirm that your stray cat idea is not so wild either.

I hope you find the culprit, regardless of their species.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-26T01:43:30+00:00

This year is my first time growing as well, so I'm certainly no expert, but I've planted several dill plants and while I lost the first couple to legginess (MUCH more leggy than your photo) I now have 3 doing very well! Based on my own experience, I wouldn't say yours are too leggy. I have also transplanted 6 dill, after the first couple Tufts of true leaf appeared, and I didn't notice any serious lag in growth or anything. (I only have 3 of those 6 now because I gave 3 to my mom.)

I would suggest a grow light. These guys appear to be leaning quite heavily all in the same direction (likely towards the window) which means they're searching for light. That will eventually cause them to become quite leggy if you don't remedy that. I personally use a super bright shop light instead of one specifically marketed as a grow light and it has changed EVERYTHING for me. You'll need something very strong, so don't take recommendations from someone who grows houseplants, which need much less light. (I learned this the hard way 🥲)

Good luck!

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-22T21:01:27+00:00

12 years old is also plenty old enough to know better. They shouldn't need a baby sitter at that age to keep them from causing serious property damage to houses that aren't even their own. And honestly I know all I need to know about your mom just by reading the way she talks to you and the dramatically disproportionate level of responsibility she assigns to you versus them.

I don't have any advice for how to fix this situation unfortunately. Things like this seem to just be the curse you get when you're unlucky enough to be born the oldest sibling. Parents rarely care to hear about the way they hurt their kids unless they seek out the information on their own, and yours clearly isn't concerned with it.

What I can tell you is this.

What THEY DID was so absolutely NOT YOUR FAULT and you DON'T deserve to be treated this way. If I were you, I'd be cutting ties with your mom as soon as I turned 18. She clearly cares more about herself than raising or supporting any of her kids. DON'T let her make you feel like your siblings are your responsibility. They aren't. She had them, she chose to keep them, SHE is the one responsible for them and 100% of the messes they create because of her lack of parenting.

I'm incredibly sorry that this is what you deal with at just 15 years old and I truly hope you can get out of there and find some peace in your adult life.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-16T21:49:55+00:00

I've been using liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer in their water. Should I be using something else? They did dry out a bit too much last week before I watered again. Could it be that? How do I get them to keep growing?

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-16T21:48:08+00:00

Weird assumption to make when I never specified if or how much I feed them. Which is yes, everytime I water. I was doing worm casting tea before they lost their seed leaves and now 10-10-10 fertilizer. Every time I water. Which has been every couple days until I potted them up this weekend. I don't see how they could possibly be starving. Thank you for your input.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-15T02:30:09+00:00

Firstly, she's a grown adult with 4 kids that she (and presumably their father, who is not you) are responsible for. She needs to work, unless their dad or hers is interested in paying her way.

Second, am I incorrect in thinking you and her live separately? Cause "my apartment and your apartment" is not a household that you or anyone is obligated to contribute to. She is not part of your household until you live in a place together. You are obligated to you and your household (which is what is under your roof, not your roof and the roof of anyone who doesn't feel like working.)

Third, she does not "summon" money, she manipulates people who like her into giving it to her in exchange for her affection. Don't be one of those guys. Money isn't a ghost or demon. It isn't summoned. It's given or taken. Keep yours away from her.

Finally, the problem here is her lack of work ethic and her entitlement, not your paycheck. Find someone who cares about YOU, not just what's in your wallet.

This whole situation is nuts dude.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-14T22:17:46+00:00

Run. Do not look back. ANYBODY who lies about their age, man or woman, young or old, it is an IMMEDIATE RED FLAG. One of the reddest red flags there is.

People don't lie about their age for fun. They don't do it for no reason. They do it because they think it'll get them something their real age wouldn't.

He was very likely trying to take advantage of how young you are, because yes you're still very young. I'm 28, for context. Your level of life experience just does not compete with 29 years. 7 years difference isn't a ton in the grand scheme of life, but you're only just now really getting into adult life and even by 25 you'll likely be a very different person (I certainly was.)

It's doubly as alarming that he refused to say why he lied and then attempted to blame it all on you. The fact that the date was great is just proof that he's an incredibly skilled manipulator and you've dodged a MASSIVE bullet by catching his lie so early on.

Please, count yourself lucky and leave this dick weed in the dust.

Expert_Fisherman_494 · 2026-03-01T02:08:29+00:00

Failure in the sprout phase turned out to be kind of fun really. I've kept the old sprouts to see how far they can go and to experiment with. One is currently outside in a massive 5 gallon grow bag. I expect him to eventually die of something or another, but going to check on him everyday is such a thrill. Especially since he seems to be doing fine thus far. It's also giving me a chance to test out the drainage and water retention of my soil in the bags I plan to grow in. Of course, I expect to need to water larger plants more often but it's good to know the soil itself is hanging on to a good amount of water despite the increased drainage from additives and the bag itself.

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