Questions tagged [vegetables]

Any edible plant or part of a plant. For questions if an unknown plant is edible use the [edible] tag.

Vegetables are plants. Technically they exclude actual , although many so-called vegetables (e.g. peppers, , and ) are the fruit of the plant in question. Questions about anything typically grown in a vegetable garden are on-topic for this tag.

For questions about a particular vegetable, use in combination with a tag for the specific vegetable you're asking about (e.g. or ).

If you're having a problem with a vegetable (leaves turning yellow, plants die, etc), use in addition.

This tag can also be used for general questions about vegetable gardening (getting started, mulching, fertilizing, watering, etc), so please add the appropriate tags for these questions too.

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What is brix, and should I care?

I've read some sites that talk about Brix levels in vegetables, and how we should aim to reach high levels in the edibles we grow. What is brix, and is it something we can inexpensively measure at home? And if it's good, how do we increase levels?
Graham Chiu
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Is it too late for my under-sized leeks to fatten up?

If you want that very welcome leek crop in mid-winter, you have to start thinking about them early on in the spring growing season. They're such a long time in the ground. Well, I got mine in on time but I've been neglecting them ever since. Next…
Tea Drinker
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Asparagus Growing: Any Tips?

I am planning to try my hand at asparagus next spring, although I'm told that it isn't the easiest of vegetables to grow. Are there any particular problems associated with it? Any tips that might smooth my path would be much appreciated (I live in…
Mancuniensis
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Leeks, how long from flower to dry seed?

I left some leeks in the ground from last year, and they shot up to form a bulb in December. They flowered shortly afterwards at a height of about 6 feet. I expected the seeds to be ready for planting this year but it's already into autumn and the…
Graham Chiu
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Do bolting vegetables produce a toxin?

I still like my arugula, kale and some lettuce varieties after they are bolting. A friend told me that those plants produce toxins when they bolt in order to ward off insects, and that we should never eat them. Does anyone know about the truth of…
user4650
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Is a vertical, soil vegetable garden a bad idea?

So my mom has all this junk wood she's been collecting, and I think I found a good use for it: as above-ground planters or as a vertical planter "post" (say 2 x 2 x 6 feet). Basically, fill it with soil and have planters coming off the…
Daniel Donnelly
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Removal of dying vegetable plants

After my vegetable garden goes dormant, do I need to yank out plants and start over with new plants, seeds, etc. I have cucumbers cherry tomatoes zucchini and peppers.
Donna Roberts
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Do I have to line the bottom of my vegetable garden with a wire mesh

I'm going to build the a box for my vegetable garden that has a 10" riser with a 6" bevel frame. The idea is this will stop mice from climbing up over the side. I was at the store pricing out wire mesh to line the bottom to prevent the mice from…
Reactgular
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Does full shade count for photoperiod sensitive plants?

Many vegetables will bolt when they're grown in the wrong season, and this is because they're photoperiod sensitive. This means that for a short-night plant if the night hours drop below a critical period for particular duration eg. month, they…
Graham Chiu
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My courgette flower not blooming

My courgette plants are growing well and started to have flower buds. However the buds did not bloom and instead the tips turn brown and they drop off.
Aishah
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How high to earth fennel?

I've seen several guides recommend the Florence fennel bulbs should be earthed up (similar to celery and leeks), but I'm unsure as to the extent that this should be done. Should the bulbs be covered completely (so that only the stems are visible),…
Leynos
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Is it okay to locate a garden on top of a septic drain field?

Is it okay to plant my vegetable garden on top of my septic drain field, or will that pose a health issue?
garber2007
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Concise database/reference for vegetable gardening?

The answers provided to Does anyone know of a somewhat comprehensive plant database available online? didn't prove to be much useful for someone that is getting into vegetable gardening. The USDA's database contains information more suitable for…
YOMorales
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Gardening / Growing Vegetables in raised metal containers

I have access to painted metal garage doors ( panels) and wondered if I can make them safe to use as a raised garden bed. What should I use to paint the inside to make it safe for growing vegetables? I know in water tanks they use a bitumen based…
Richard
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What Are The Fastest Vegetables to Grow

i've found a lot of detail online about the fastest vegetables to grow in terms of time from planting to producing (radishes!) however i'm wondering what are the fastest vegetables to grow from a fully matured plant? (not sure if that's the correct…
matt
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