[TheWhiteRabbit]

I'm still struggling to grow Aubergines. I tried some different varieties this year but I don't think the weather was on my side, so I'll try again next year.

I've also struggled with swedes. I read that they don't like being transplanted so sowed directly this year and they were better. Not great, but better!

[8doubles]

A favourite quote from the Simpsons,  "some folk couldn't grow stink on a monkey !". 

[trunk monkey]

We struggled to grow swedes on our allotments for many years. Our allotment guru thought it was due to sulphur deficiency with power station emissions being cleaned up. Then we started using "nutrimate" and the big swedes returned. 

[Yorkshire Lass]

For me it's carrots, they start out ok and taste great when they are miniature, but grow a full sized carrot that has not been eaten and nibbled by the bugs.  Its not happening for me I'm afraid. 

I vowed I would never try them again then some kind person gave me some free seeds...aaarrgghhh!!!!

[oldgrunge]

For me it's carrots, they start out ok and taste great when they are miniature, but grow a full sized carrot that has not been eaten and nibbled by the bugs.  Its not happening for me I'm afraid. 

I vowed I would never try them again then some kind person gave me some free seeds...aaarrgghhh!!!!

Grow under very fine mesh cloches, all your troubles will be over.
edit to fix quote

[grove]

I keep trying to find pigeon resistant varieties of brassicas ;-) until I do, I am going to struggle. The birds seem to take joy in breaking down / ripping apart / removing even the most resiliently built netting!

[pigguns]

Oooh, not just me then!  Swedes, carrots, parsnips (although 3 parsnip whoppers made it through from 2 packets, so it is technically possible  )   will keep trying though 
Not sure why my sprouts did't make it- it must be me as my neighbour's are wonderful, but I do organic and he sprays 

[Snoop]

Carrots.
Everyone else's carrots always look like they're out of Tescos. Mine actually are because I can't get any results from them so have to go shopping! Either they don't appear, or if they do, they're tiny, split or forked.
The only good thing is that they aren't affected by flies but that's probably only because even to them, they look pretty unappetising...

Try Paris Market or Sprint. Paris Market are round in shape - not much good if you want a traditional-looking root, but they taste very sweet and are great for grating as well as slicing. Sprint grow, according to the blurb, only 10 cm long. I tried them last year in a very unpromising clay bed as an experiment and had surprisingly good results. Some grew quite a bit longer than 10 cm, despite the poor ground.

[al78]

For me it's carrots, they start out ok and taste great when they are miniature, but grow a full sized carrot that has not been eaten and nibbled by the bugs.  Its not happening for me I'm afraid. 

I vowed I would never try them again then some kind person gave me some free seeds...aaarrgghhh!!!!

Grow under very fine mesh cloches, all your troubles will be over.
edit to fix quote

Not necessarily, fine mesh will not stop the slugs nibbling the seedlings down to the ground.

[Yorkshire Lass]

Dare I say it but to date slugs have not been a problem 

[sunshineband]

Dare I say it but to date slugs have not been a problem 

But they are for me, to the point where I actually sow some slug pellets alongside the carrot seed in the ground itself, as the little black slugs were devouring the seedlins as they germinated. This, plus the fine mesh and constant stone picking prior to sowing, has improved things no end.

Swede still eludes me, but I shall try again next year...maybe I need to feed them better when they are little?

[Rich72]

Definitely carrots. Had 2 germinate out of about 80 sown. And they soon got nibbled. A decent radish also evaded me last season

[whitehill1]

try to avoid growing as many this year, and see what actually..rally..absolutely I can avoid and not grown any of that type