My bean and courgette plants aren't doing a lot...

Shoxt3r

Hi all,

I've had my bean and courgette plants in the raised beds for about a month now but they really don't seem to be doing a lot - what could be wrong?

I regularly water them and they are in a good spot for sunshine (when we've had it!) but still their growth seems stunted. A couple of the bean plants are doing something (new shoots climbing the canes) but the purple-flowered ones aren't doing much.

By contrast, the tomato plants in the same raised bed took a while to get going but seem to be thriving now!

Any thoughts please?

AuntyRach

I think they look ok - they are still young and just getting started. 

philippasmith2

The cool weather lately also doesn't help - patience and crossed fingers is the way to go

Shoxt3r

Ok thanks for the reassurance, I wasn't sure haha. When do you think they should really get going (probably asking how long is a piece of string!)?

philippasmith2

Yes - how long is your particular piece of string ?  

I'm in the coastal SW UK.  I have picked 3 Courgettes ( outside ), 4 Tomatoes ( GH ) . 2 Cucumbers ( 1 outside and 1 in GH ) and no beans (outside ).  Lots of salad (outside ) so it's lucky dip time this year I'm afraid.

Best of luck

AuntyRach

Shoxt3r said:

Ok thanks for the reassurance, I wasn't sure haha. When do you think they should really get going (probably asking how long is a piece of string!)?

Take pictures again in 2 weeks time - you’ll notice a big difference. 

Shoxt3r

AuntyRach said:

Shoxt3r said:

Ok thanks for the reassurance, I wasn't sure haha. When do you think they should really get going (probably asking how long is a piece of string!)?

Take pictures again in 2 weeks time - you’ll notice a big difference. 

Great tip! I'm probably noticing it more due to being around the house more often, being as I'm working from home these days 😂

Lyn

I would think that for plants that have been in there for a month, they’re rather slow, we’ve had the perfect weather this past month, some hot sunshine, some showers of rain.
I’m wondering what you’re growing them in,  what type of soil you have, how deep is the compost,  or soil,  the box is very high,  are there plenty of holes in the bottom of the box or is it sitting in the ground?

Igrowfromseed

Courgettes benefit from a rich compost. I put a a bucket full of my homemade compost in the hole before the plant and fill the hole with rich compost. I also grow the plants to a good size before planting out. Here are mine they have been in for a month.

Shoxt3r

Lyn said:

I would think that for plants that have been in there for a month, they’re rather slow, we’ve had the perfect weather this past month, some hot sunshine, some showers of rain.
I’m wondering what you’re growing them in,  what type of soil you have, how deep is the compost,  or soil,  the box is very high,  are there plenty of holes in the bottom of the box or is it sitting in the ground?

That was my thought as well. The courgette plant has bounced back from an onslaught from slugs and snails but still seems very slow.

They're grown in the same compost I've had in there for about 3-4 years now and I regularly water and feed them. The raised bed is sat on the soil and is about 30-40cm deep, filled with compost. Tomato plants have grown well there but this is the first time trying courgette and beans there.

Igrowfromseed said:

Courgettes benefit from a rich compost. I put a a bucket full of my homemade compost in the hole before the plant and fill the hole with rich compost. I also grow the plants to a good size before planting out. Here are mine they have been in for a month.

Good to have a comparison - thanks! I had 3 courgette plants originally that were growing well, then slugs and snails attacked them and now I just about have 1 left which is growing very slowly as you can see.

Igrowfromseed

Shoxt3r said:

Lyn said:

I would think that for plants that have been in there for a month, they’re rather slow, we’ve had the perfect weather this past month, some hot sunshine, some showers of rain.
I’m wondering what you’re growing them in,  what type of soil you have, how deep is the compost,  or soil,  the box is very high,  are there plenty of holes in the bottom of the box or is it sitting in the ground?

That was my thought as well. The courgette plant has bounced back from an onslaught from slugs and snails but still seems very slow.

They're grown in the same compost I've had in there for about 3-4 years now and I regularly water and feed them. The raised bed is sat on the soil and is about 30-40cm deep, filled with compost. Tomato plants have grown well there but this is the first time trying courgette and beans there.

Igrowfromseed said:

Courgettes benefit from a rich compost. I put a a bucket full of my homemade compost in the hole before the plant and fill the hole with rich compost. I also grow the plants to a good size before planting out. Here are mine they have been in for a month.

Good to have a comparison - thanks! I had 3 courgette plants originally that were growing well, then slugs and snails attacked them and now I just about have 1 left which is growing very slowly as you can see.

I delay planting the courgette out until they can cope with the odd slug or snail. Plant them out when too small then they can quickly lose vigour after a few munches.