Topic: what veg can't you grow

[grotbag]

the veg i have trouble growing is cauliflour only managed to grow 1 properly in 7yrs.

[tartonterro]

tried cauli's last year and got 2.5ft long leafs - not much else.
Turnips (swedes) - tried the last 3 years and not had a single root worth cooking

[Duke Ellington]

Cauliflowers
Carrots in the ground.       I can only grow carrots in containers!!


Duke :)

[thifasmom]

celery :'( 2yrs failure

[hippydave]

cauli celery celeriac and swead :-[

[Digeroo]

I'm also a failure at caulis.  I grew a lovely one, it was all of 2 inches across.  I think I am the wrong star sign, I'm a fruit sign.  Have managed some very nice Romanesco though.  Have problems with carrots in the garden but grown lovely ones on the allotment.  Not good at cabbages either.  Did ok with celery.

[saddad]

Cauli, except Purple Cape... over Winter... Carrots for a decade but got it now!
 :)

[1066]

Yikes this is reading like a list of what 1066 is going to grow next year for the 1st  time - celery and swede! Also tried caulis for the 1st time this year, started off ok, got some small but nice heads and then left them (based on Mr 1066's advice  ::) ) and then they went past their best!

Oh well, just as well I'm an optimist  ;D

[Deb P]

I also struggle with carrots, but now stick to short stumpy types and have had more success. But as for fruit, just don't mention melons........ >:(

[plot51A]

Caulis of course - but also I don't seem to be very good with beetroot, how sad is that?  ???
No probs with carrots or swede though  ;D

[aggie]

Its leeks for me they never seem to swell like the one you buy. Trying again this year any tips for fattening them up?

[reddyreddy]

swede, they end up full of dark brown crevices inside  :-\

[cleo]

One day I might move to a place with `perfect` soil??

When on clay caulis,sprouts and swedes were no problem-carrots though!!

Now on very light soil carrots are easy but sprouts and caulis and yes swedes are at best pathetic

[Digeroo]

Now on very light soil

I have for many years put my lack of prowess in growing cauli to the soil.  But two allotments over they grew fantastic cauli.

any tips for fattening them up

  I found my leeks fattened up when they had a good feed.  Think next year they will have a good helping of BFB at every stage.  I have lovely tall leeks but not very fat.  (about an inch)  Am I right in thinking they are very hungry beasts.

[asbean]

Caulis definitely.  Finally gave up on them (if I can't succeed after trying six times) and put all my cauli seeds in the seed swap.  Never again.  >:( >:( >:(

Leeks haven't been a problem, except for this year when they were attacked by the leek moth.  Will cover them next year, just to be on the safe side.  Ours don't get any special treatment, other than our home-made comfrey jungle juice.

[saddad]

swede, they end up full of dark brown crevices inside  :-\

Sounds like a deficiency to me ... (?) Boron?

[manicscousers]

swede  :-\

[Borlotti]

That's interesting, my soil is clay, I think.  Can grow sprouts, PSB and even a few small cauliflowers but not carrots.  Also peas were OK.  Going to try carrots next year in a big plastic bin. My beetroot gave up, but the plot next to me that he hardly ever comes to has enormous beetroot and he hasn't used them.  :( :( :(  But next year everything will be brilliant.  ;D ;D ;D

[sarah]

i cant seem to grow a carrot bigger than my finger or a beetroot larger than a golf ball. 

[chriscross1966]

swede, they end up full of dark brown crevices inside  :-\

Sounds like a deficiency to me ... (?) Boron?

Seaweed extract should sor tit out then, it's probably the best organic thing for micronutrients..... but they're rarely that much of a problem on allotment soil... we rotate, it's never-ending m,onocultures that generally have that problem....

chrisc