Wednesday 14 March 2012

The biggest Failure of 2011!!

Well I just thought I would share with you my biggest failure form 2011.

It wasn't actually a single crop but several and all of those being my squash plants.

Now don't get me wrong I did get fruit off them but no where near the amount that I am used to.

I don't think the failure was so much down to the squash itself though but rather down to the 'Hot beds' I thought I would try out last year.

Putting the squash into these beds cramped their growing style A LOT and I think this in turn affected the fruit.

Bottom line, I won't be trying 'Hot beds'...or even raised beds again. The frames will be dismantled and used for much needed repair of the path edge and from now on my squash will have the open areas they have enjoyed so much in the past!!

So did you have any major failures in your gardens/allotments last year?? Or maybe try something new that you won't do gain??

.

18 comments:

  1. still trying to get sweetcorn. Others have managed it in neighbouring plots (v annoying!) and hoping that the move will get us some marrow/courgette and pumpkins of any sort ;-)

    On a positive note - you'll get lots of crop off pattypan squash!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you have better luck with your sweetcorn this year.

      I have never grown nor eaten 'pattypan' squash...what do you do with it??

      Delete
    2. Patty pan is small flattish pumpkins (palm sized), taste a bit nutty. I stir fried them (whole) and then added all the quicker cooking veg and it was really yummy! Also had them steamed cos we do that alot to get full flavours.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the advice...I don't have any of those seeds but I may just give them a go now!!

      Delete
  2. It's Celeriac for me. They grew but where was the swollen root? All the same I'm trying a different variety this year. That reminds me - Isn't it time to sow?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose i could have gone with celeraic Mal...but it wasn't a failure as it never even started...still going to give it another try this year though so lets see how well we do!!

      Delete
  3. Our main failures were peas and carrots. Both suffered from lack of rain and carrots from lack of weeding too. The weeds grew in spite of the lack of rain and the carrots couldn't compete.

    Our squash were smaller than usual but again lack of moisture was an issue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well hopefully we'll get a little more rain this year Sue (wow I can't believe I just said that!!) and maybe there won't be quite so many problems!!

      Delete
  4. Oh forgot - sweet corn was another failure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a shame...last two years I have had wonderful corn and I'm hoping for a repeat performance this year!

      Delete
  5. Monday 15th March 2012
    Dear Tanya,
    Thank you for visiting and commenting on my story for Saturday Centus. You are first and get an extra link!
    Best wishes & hugs,
    Anna
    For the benefit of other readers:
    Anna's SC challenge for wk 97 - 'FIVES'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome Ann...thanks for visiting and the link.

      Delete
  6. I haven't had any decent sweetcorn since I've had my allotment, though they grew well enough for me when I was growing in containers. I'm hoping that I do better this year. I'm growing squash for the first time this year. I've got two varieties to try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really weird Jo...maybe you'll have better luck with it this year.

      Can't wait to find out what squash you have decided to grow.

      Delete
  7. too bad about the squash but at least you learned something from it. Better luck this year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything is a learning curve Ann...and I never knock anything until I have tried it out for myself!!

      Delete
  8. Squash for me too, bad year for them with a relatively cold and wet summer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I saw Monty Don on the One Show and he said that it was a particularly bad year for squash and courgette family as it was so wet and cold. Try again this year maybe?

    ReplyDelete

keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!