Probably a daft question!

[selfraising]

This is probably a daft question to those of you who are experienced growers but I'll ask it anyway

Can I grow baby veg from normal varieties or do I have to buy dwarf varieties separately?

[Capsid]

Most baby veg are normal veg picked young. Young carrots are a whole new experience.

What veg in particular did you have in mind and what is the reason for your question? Is it one of ground space or taste?

[Eyren]

No question is daft

Some varieties make better baby veg (e.g. Igloo cauliflowers), but most things you can just pick them smaller. Courgettes are a good example! Leeks and carrots can also be harvested small as baby veg.

That said, tomatoes grow to a specific size for their variety, and don't ripen until they stop growing, so for cherry toms you need an appropriate variety like Gardener's Delight (or Hundreds and Thousands, if you want them really tiny!). Same with other veg that have to ripen fully before eating, like squash.

[Flummery]

So there! 'Twasn't daft at all was it?
You sometimes seem to be paying the earth for 'baby leeks' which are just immature leeks. I suppose it can be justified by the fact that you would get a bigger weight as a grower if you left them to grow on. However, if you want baby sweetcorn you need a special variety. Often crops that are harvested early are more tender and flavourful. Also you then have your ground free to get another crop in.

[selfraising]

Capsid - A bit of both really and also wondered why seed suppliers are offering baby veg seed if you can grow them from normal varieties.

[selfraising]

Hi Flummery Well that's me told

Are suppliers just ripping people off then in offering these baby veg varieties?

[TEB]

There is such things as mini veg that are cultivated for just that reason, never tried any myself.

[Flummery]

Sometimes there are reasons - some varieties are bred not to grow massive so even if you leave them they'll always be small. However, being cynical, I tend to think that if they can get money from your pocket by promising you baby veg then they will. Some old hands plant things like cabbage, carrots and cauli fairly close - closer than the spacings on the packet - then harvest alternate ones as baby veg. You then leave the others to grow on - best of both worlds - one packet of seeds. However, as mentioned above, if you want small toms or sweetcorn you need special varieties.

[selfraising]

Now, its been explained, I can understand that certain varieties have to be bought as mini veg, however, being a bit cynical like you Flummery, I do think it's money grabbing. It's very misleading for novice gardeners as well, who like me, may think that you might have to buy these special varieties in order to achieve the right results. So what distance apart can I get away with planting for mini veg say for instance caulis which I would like slightly larger than tennis ball sized? Do I just gauge the size of veg I want and allow that sort of distance? (does that make sense, not sure?)

[TEB]

RHS suggest 12 - 18 inches for mini one person curds
Mini vegetables - crops of the future? Part Two from the National Vegetable Society

[selfraising]

Oh thanks TEB and thankyou for the link, I will have a read!