I'm trying my hand at starting seeds for the first time this year. Tomatoes, peppers, and some herbs. Things were clipping along just fine, then I set them out in sun for a day or two and the bottom leaves got yellow and crinkly. Now new top growth seems to have completely stopped.

Do I need to fertilize?
With what?
Fish emulsion?
Is this the kind of thing one can buy at your average Home Depot?

I fear that my resources (in a traditional - aka non-organic - agricultural area) are limited. I'm worried because I should be setting out in the new couple of weeks and the way things are looking right now, they just won't make it!

Hi sara, you may have given the seedlings too much sun, too soon. Those little pots heat up mighty quick in the sun. I like to put my seedlings close together when they go outside, and I put them in a spot that gets dappled sunlight, or I use some shadecloth. (my current setup is on the back porch where the seedlings get morning sun, and I put the 6 packs in a white plastic bag to cover the pots but not the plants, sorta makes a mini greenhouse, and keeps in moisture, and protects the pots from the sun). The drop in growth rate is probably due to the colder temps at night, outside. The yellowing often happens to the first leaves, once lots more leaves grow. Those were it's baby leaves. Fertilizing depends on your soil. If you used a sterile soil, you should mix up a dilute liquidy fertilizer that has a little of all the nutrients. If you're using homemade compost, no fertilizer should be needed as the soil has plenty already.

thanks - i put them out only during the day, though so cold nights should not be affecting their growth - i'll try putting them in a dappled sunlight area, though - we're supposed to have a nice warm, sunny weekend....

i did use a seed starting mix when i started them - would it hurt to crumble a little homemade compost onto the tops of the pots to give them a little extra boost?