Allotments 4 All

I have several questions as I have for the first time in my life attempted to grow vegetables and I don't think all is well. I have made some raised beds to contain the plants so haven't huge areas to grow on (yet!)
1)  Have planted King Eddies and Maris Pipers, which have shot up. The stems have got so long that in these winds they have bent over and in some cases snapped. Why have they got so tall? Have managed to bank although restricted due to space.
2) Red onions have grown a treat  but the stems are now hanging down, they are not upright and half laying on the soil. Is this a problem and if so what can I do?
3) Courgettes are in the ground but the leaves look like they are being eaten but cannot see any bugs or anything similar. Leaves are now also turning brown. A couple of the lettuces have acquired some holes so maybe going the same way. Have I planted them in the garden too early? Haven't had any rain for ages as weather has been so good. Any ideas?
Sorry to bombard buthave no one I can ask? Just found your site in the hope you can help
thxs  ???

Hiya, fitzsie, welcome to a4a  ;D
Hope I can help, some of our early spuds have gone huge, don't know why but it hasn't affected the yield, we're mulching with old grass cuttings, old leaves, even newspaper sheets
some of our red onions are the same as you, I only worry if they go to
seed
courgettes, probably a bit early and they don't like the cold wind
hope that helps  :)

Quote from: fitzsie on May 24, 2011, 16:03:28
I have several questions as I have for the first time in my life attempted to grow vegetables and I don't think all is well. I have made some raised beds to contain the plants so haven't huge areas to grow on (yet!)
1)  Have planted King Eddies and Maris Pipers, which have shot up. The stems have got so long that in these winds they have bent over and in some cases snapped. Why have they got so tall? Have managed to bank although restricted due to space.
2) Red onions have grown a treat  but the stems are now hanging down, they are not upright and half laying on the soil. Is this a problem and if so what can I do?
3) Courgettes are in the ground but the leaves look like they are being eaten but cannot see any bugs or anything similar. Leaves are now also turning brown. A couple of the lettuces have acquired some holes so maybe going the same way. Have I planted them in the garden too early? Haven't had any rain for ages as weather has been so good. Any ideas?
Sorry to bombard buthave no one I can ask? Just found your site in the hope you can help
thxs  ???

Sounds like either not enough light or too much nitrogen for the spuds.... earth them up...

Red onions, if they're overwintering then they're hitting the end of their life-cycle. If they've bulbed then start using them, overwintereds rarely store well.

Courgettes.... cold weather at night and the wind can't be helping, despite all the sun we've had recently the occasional cold night will hurt them more than being early by three weeks helps.... ... possibly slugs (deffo on the lettuce)

chrisc

Thxs for all your comments.
I've banked the potatoes as much as I can but they are in a raised bed only 6" high and they've grown so much I can't get any more soil up the plant. I do have a few trees around which are in the neighbours garden but creates shade in mine. Sounds like a possible reason why but as I cannot bank up the soil any more then I guess i will just have to wait to see what I end up with !! The plants are well over 2' tall and growing !
The onions are Red Baron sets which I planted in March, ready for august? The stems are still green, but alot of them are lying on the soil.
Think I have been too eager with courgettes, as I don't think slugs are the problem as they in a raised bed covered with net. The lettuces are in a cloche as well.

I feel like I'm taking part in a mystery play............ Didn't expect this when I decided to grow veg :-*

Welcome to A4A Fitzsie

Quote from: fitzsie on May 25, 2011, 21:02:29
I feel like I'm taking part in a mystery play............ Didn't expect this when I decided to grow veg :-*

LOL! I remember my 1st attempts at growing spuds and not having an earthly what I was supposed to do, but somehow managed to get a decent 1st crop. It's early days in terms of the growing season so plenty of time.

And welcome to A4A. Lots of great people on here to ask for help  :)

We all learn by our mistakes so next year will be better. Welcome to A4A

Thxs for everyones comments, sounds like one big family. Looking forward to many more posts  :D

Welcome to the madhouse Fitzsie.    :P

Quote from: shirlton on May 26, 2011, 07:02:56
We all learn by our mistakes so next year will be better. Welcome to A4A

Been saying that for 20 years ;D
Welcome!

Welcome, welcome,

Potatoes - Can you build yourself a 6" high box, just the sides, to slot on over your potatoes then you could add more soil to earth them up?

Or build a few of these if smaller ones would make them easier to handle.

It's fun growing things to eat isn't it!

Welcome!
Don't forget that you can also add other organic matter on top of the spuds to cover them, like straw mulch or compost. The deeper they are in the ground, the better, but mulching also helps keep the ground cool and the light away from the potatoes. I always apply several inches of pony club straw around my potatoes once they are up.