The Honest Garden

Why Aren’t My Vegetables Fruiting?‍

By Joe Bond

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Nestled in the back streets of Forrest Beach, Joe (Joanne) and her partner Dan (Daniel) tend a 2.5-acre oasis - a haven of more than 75 different fruit trees and seasonal vegetables nurtured over 20 years. Together, they cultivate high-quality, affordable produce for the local community.

Here’s Joe’s monthly update of practical tips and ideas for your garden and home.

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Between the two of us, Dan and I have built up a pretty solid knowledge of growing food and caring for the land.

Several people approached Dan at the markets asking for advice, saying, "Our pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchini aren't growing. They produce flowers, but nothing else happens."

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His suggested advice was "Hand-pollinate them."

So, what is hand pollination?

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Pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchini produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. For fruit to develop, pollen must be transferred from the male flower (the anther) to the female flower (the stigma). Nature usually relies on bees and other pollinators to do this, but if they aren't around, you can lend a helping hand by gently transferring the pollen using the male flower itself or a small paintbrush.

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Cross-pollination is a little different. It happens when pollen is transferred from the anther of a flower on one plant to the stigma of a flower on another plant of the same species. This mixes the genetic material of both parent plants, producing seeds with greater genetic diversity. Over time, this helps create stronger, healthier plants that are better able to adapt to changing conditions.

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One of the best ways to improve pollination naturally is by keeping bees. I know beekeeping isn't for everyone, but bees do an incredible job of pollinating your crops while bringing plenty of other benefits to the garden.

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If you'd like to see what we're growing or pick up some fresh local produce, visit Joe and Dan's fruit stall at 63 Forrest Drive, Forrest Beach.

Joe's Garden Tip: If your vine crops are producing plenty of flowers but no fruit, try hand-pollinating early in the morning when the flowers are fully open. It's quick, easy and can dramatically improve your harvest!

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