Common Vegetable Garden Problems

To avoid repeating mistakes in the vegetable garden it is helpful to take note of them. Here are some common garden problems and recommendations for preventing them:

Seedlings die shortly after emergence -- This problem is most likely to occur with beans, peas, vine crops, and sweet corn. The presence of soil-borne fungi and planting in cold, wet soil are the main causes. The situation can usually be avoided by planting treated seeds in warm soil.

Broccoli flowers before the heads mature -- This situation is likely to occur if the plants have been stunted by poor growing conditions or if the plants have been set too late in the spring. Broccoli needs cool weather for the best head formation.

Cabbage heads split -- Certain varieties are more prone to this condition than others. However, heavy rains after the heads are almost mature will often cause splitting. Twisting or pulling the cabbage head to break some of the roots will decrease the amount of water the cabbage absorbs and thus reduce splitting.

Corn ears don't fill properly -- Poor pollination due to hot, dry weather is likely the cause. Since corn is pollinated by wind, it is advisable to plant corn in blocks of three to four rows rather that one long row. Too much nitrogen in the soil, low potassium levels, and insects feeding on the silks may contribute to the problem.

Bitter cucumbers -- Older plants, low fertility, drought conditions, and high temperatures contribute to bitterness in cucumbers. Maintaining adequate moisture, mulching the soil, and fertilizing properly will delay or possibly prevent bitterness. Most bitterness can be removed by peeling off a thicker portion of the skin during preparation.

Cantaloupes with poor flavor -- Poor taste in cantaloupes is caused by too much water during the last week of vine growth. Try to avoid watering the plants just before harvest. Nothing can be done, of course, about excessive rainfall during this critical period.

Poor fruit set of vine crops -- Poor pollination is the problem. Squash, cucumbers, and other vine crops produce both male and female blossoms. It is normal for vine crops to produce 10 to more male blossoms before female blossoms are formed. The male blossoms will drop without any food production. Bees are needed to transfer the pollen from male to female blossoms. Remember, blossoms of vine crops are open only one day for pollination.

Tomatoes will flower without setting fruit -- Temperature extremes -- too high or too low -- will prevent fruit from forming. Generally, night temperature below 60o F and day temperature above 90o F will keep tomato plants from setting fruit.

Tomatoes rot on the blossom end. -- This type of rot is caused by lack of calcium in the blossom end of the fruit. It can be reduced by proper liming and fertilization, mulching, and maintaining a uniform moisture supply.