[hellzbellz]

Hi

This is my first post so here goes (apologies if its in the wrong place). I am well and truely on my way with my first year on my allotment. Got it last autumn and put in some serious graft clearing and putting just three beds in (for the time being). Anyway, imagine my delight when in the middle of weeding between my cabbages I noticed a beautiful white perfectly formed cauliflower head peeping out between the leaves (must label seedlings next year ). Even more delighted because its just about the only thing that seems to be growing well despite my understanding that this was one of the more tricky veggies to grow.

 My onions are miniscule, beetroots not more than a couple of leaves on most despite sewing seeds aaaaages ago . I have one beetroot that has grown somewhat but the leaves have all crisped up and it doesnt look happy at all. Ive watered everything well and the recent downpours have given them a good soaking. Soil isnt terrible but its difficult to improve as access to site is appaling and my compost isnt ready yet.

Does the fact that cauli's are growing well indicate that I may have a certain type of soil going on that I could alter to give the other things a fighting chance? I do love cauliflower but a woman cant live on that alone! I particularly want to grow marrows, courgettes etc. Have a couple of courgettes planted out but they are starting to yellow and dont seem to be thriving. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Helen

[grinling]

the wet weather has not helped, temperatures are down and the only thing thriving are weeds.

[Yorkie]

If you browse the other threads on here you will see just how hard many of us are finding it to grow various crops successfully this year ... 

[azubah]

I can't grow caulis. Have tried and given up several times. Our beetroot is a lot better since we got some pigeon manure last year. I think they like rich moist soil.

[chrissie B]

not tried caulis here yet , did grow in greece inspite of th high temps, got some beets in they seem small the biggest survivers are the slugs and the weeds
chrissie b

[Goosegirl]

If you browse the other threads on here you will see just how hard many of us are finding it to grow various crops successfully this year ... 

The really sad thing is that it is not just some people in some areas - we could all offer our sympathy there - but it is everybody all over the country. So many posts from the UK include the bad weather being the reason for whatever problem has occurred, me included. Big hugs needed!  :happy:

[BabbyAnn]

imagine my delight when in the middle of weeding between my cabbages I noticed a beautiful white perfectly formed cauliflower head peeping out between the leaves

now that you've weeded, just make sure the pigeons haven't eyeballed it so go cover with netting asap!!!!    I like nice surprises like this - just when you think it is the worst year ever and out the blue something you didn't expect to survive let alone turn into a perfect crop appears.  It doesn't happen often but when it does, you just know you can't throw the towel in just yet.

Caulis aren't really difficult to grow - they are just plain fussy.  As you say, perhaps your soil is best suited (would it be heavy clay by chance?  Caulis like their roots to be well firmed in)  In which case you shouldn't really have problems with other brassicas such as cabbage and sprouts.

Let's have a look at the other things:

onions - if they were planted in spring, then they'll still be bulbless until later so don't despair yet. 

beetroot - ages ago after sowing we have had some contrasting weather, from heatwaves, chills to deluges.  Perhaps try a fresh sow instead of relying on the original one - the soil temperature should be considerably warmer so will germinate quicker and that's half the problem solved.  They should then go with the momentum and grow more quickly - crops that falter mid way through their growing season tend to sulk afterwards.  If you had done successional sowings of beetroot (a few seeds every other week), you might have noticed that later sowings tend to gallop and overtake earlier sowings    (that applies to lots of crops BTW)

If you've had lots of rain in your area, this may have washed some nutrients out of the soil.  Digging in compost is well and good at the start of a season but when the weather is not helping either, perhaps look at fortifying the soil with a fertiliser for now to give your plants a bit of a boost is needed.  Even a scattering of Growmore round the plants can be more helpful than none at all.  In the long term, why not start thinking about making your own liquid feed (from weeds, manure or comfrey - you soak until they turn into a vile smelly brew then dilute down when watering crops) or start a worm compost.

Good luck with the plot Helen - and I hope you enjoyed that cauli (well done you)