Teeny tiny veg

[Minamoo]

NOt on purpose...my calabrese head are max 2 inches wide. And that was when the flowers were about to open so I picked them. what can I do to make them bigger? Only one has formed its head so far. I didn't put any manure or anything like that in the bed. Just forked in a bit of compost. But the ground hasn't had anything other than grass on it for about 10 years at least so I thought they'd be ok. My courgettes also appeared to have not grown much at all since I put them in the ground in early May.

Oh and how do I know when the Broad beans are ready? They're got huge long pods but they feel empty. I found some blackfly on the sacrificial nasturtiums growing in the bed with them so I'm panicking a bit now. Should I pinch the tops off the bean plants?

[shirlthegirl43]

It would be an idea to feed your veggie plants a bit. However, check the seed packet for your calabrese - they are possibly not due to crop for a while yet and one got keen. Cut out the central head when it forms and watch for sprouts (like sprouting brocolli) forming at the leaf joints - cut these as they come big enough. Courgettes are rather hungry plants and maybe they are in need of feeding too.

Broadies - you should be able to feel the beans when they form - open one pod to see what's in there. As for pinching the tips - I don't bother and just wash off any blackflies with a strong jet of water.