[MadAboutVeg]

First question - My red cabbage doesn't seem to be forming a tight head?  Why would this be?  the outer leaves are growing very big.  One thing I thought might have affected formation is that  for the first day planted out on the allotment they were ravished by pigeons until I managed to net them - could this be why?

Also, my butternut squashes and courgettes are really struggling and haven't grown much since I planted them out about 6 weeks ago.  Could this be due to the dry weather?

Thanks
Claire

[arugula]

Our red cabbages aren't forming a tight head yet either, but they haven't had pigeons near them. I just think they're not ready yet. A lot of courgettes, squashes, tomatoes and others are or were suffering setback from the cold spell everyone had, but with the temperatures warming up at last, things should be growing.

[Ice]

There are a few reasons why cabbages don't heart up.  Too little food and not being planted firmly enough being two.  Of course drought conditions don't help.  Squash and courgettes are hungry, thirsty plants.  Did you think any of this might be why yours are not doing well?

[Nobbie]

The cabbage sound like mine, lots of big leaves, but no hearts yet. They look healthy enough, so I'm sure they'll heart up when ready. I'm still eating my first batch of greyhound cabbage, so no suprise that the reds aren't ready yet.

[MadAboutVeg]

Hi Ice

I think that the squashes and courgettes are probably suffering from lack of water. I was told by a friend not to water my plants in the ground as it encourages root growth close to the surface but I think maybe I should with the courgettes squashes - what do you think?

[Ice]

Lots of water for courgettes and squashes with some tomorite when they get fruiting.