As the growing season has ended and frost approaches, many gardeners have reflected on the success of their harvest this year. After months of hard work, some gardeners have decided to give up on certain vegetables altogether.
Three, in particular, have been dismissed as either "not worth the time" or "impossible" to grow and won't be planted again next year. In a thread on Reddit, users listed onions, broccoli, and squash on their banished list. Below, we have detailed why these vegetables might be difficult to grow and the solutions to fix these problems.
One Reddit user said, "As my friend put it, 'you plant a small onion and get a slightly bigger onion.' They are so cheap to buy, I do not bother."
Another commenter shared: "I've been trying to grow onions for a few years now, but I'm doing something wrong. I don't know how much they're going for right now, but I use them in so many dishes and they have a long shelf life, so I thought I gotta grow 'em ... but no luck."
However, according to the RHS, onions are particularly easy to grow if you follow the right technique. Onions must be in a warm, sunny spot and have well-drained soil. The root veg is best grown from sets (immature bulbs), which are quick and easy but prone to bolting. Using heat-treated sets helps reduce the risk.
2. BroccoliGardeners complained about broccoli as it attracts pests like white flies, aphids, and earwigs.
One Reddit user said, "Just not worth the time, effort, space, and all that." Another added, "Not worth the time and effort to get one head of broccoli. I'm only growing things that are abundant with minimal effort."
For those interested in growing green vegetables next year, pro gardeners are reassuring you that broccoli is easy to grow and yields quickly. According to an expert at Gardeners' World, to grow it, you need well-prepared, fertile, alkaline soil.
It also needs to be kept well-watered and receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. To protect it from garden pests, consider growing it in a mesh cage.
3. SquashWhen it comes to growing squash, a Reddit user simply stated, "never again," while another commented, "Squash vine borers, however, are the reason I never grow summer squash. They are impossible."
An expert at Gardenary explained the presence of these garden pests: "The adult squash vine borer is a moth that looks more like a black and orangey-red wasp. The adult moths lay their eggs at the base of your squash plants.
"These eggs hatch within a couple of weeks, and then the larvae fatten themselves up by burrowing into the lower stems of your plants and feeding on the soft material inside."
To prevent this, gardeners can use mesh or row covers to deter these pests or wrap the stems of their plants with strips of nylon or foil. Another useful tip is to regularly clean the soil area by removing fallen leaves and debris, and to never leave mulch around.
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