Veggies Not Ripening

Question

Several years now when I plant a veggie garden my vegetables don’t seem to grow all the way. The plants get big flowers and the veggies start, but don’t always ripen. I’ve planted in the ground and this year in pots, maybe early, but seem to be getting the same results. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Sounds like you have to much nitrogen, which will cause the plants to produce lots of leaves and little fruit. One way to combat this is plant heavy feeders as a winter crop, ie cabbage, broccoli, spinach. Mulch over the site in the winter and plant sweet corn in that area in the spring (another very heavy feeder). Also check with your local extension office (found under gov’t in your phone book) get a soil test kit. Your state lab will do the test for a nominal fee and it will help you make adjustment to the amendments you need in your soil.
The is one last trick you can try that works with flower beds that have this problem. Take a clean, sterile shovel and and push is down in several areas around the plant, this usually shocks the plant into producing fruit.