Garden Problems and Solutions

Address blossom end rot, bolting, and bitterness in your garden plants. Physiological problems are caused by environmental conditions rather than pests or diseases.

By Susan Mulvihill
Updated on June 26, 2024
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by Susan Mulvihill
Extended heat or cooler-than-usual temperatures can cause bitter cucumbers.

Why do my cucumbers taste bitter? What causes blossom end rot? Find answers to common garden problems and solutions to keep your garden producing nutritious and tasty produce.

Organic vegetable gardening has been a passion of mine for most of my life. As much joy as it gives me, I’ll be the first to admit that a few aspects can be particularly challenging: insects, animal pests, plant diseases, and the frustrating things that happen because of the weather. On top of these common issues, other challenges and oddball gardening problems have troubled me over the years: Why did the leaves on my seedlings turn white? How do I protect my vegetable crops during heat waves? Why did the little squash on my zucchini plant fall off?

I knew I wasn’t the only gardener wondering about these things, so I decided to write about them in The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook. In it, I cover how to nurture your plants so they’ll produce well and be less likely to have problems, how to deal with the challenges Mother Nature throws your way, and the disorders that can affect your plants, even when diseases aren’t to blame. I want gardeners to enjoy growing their own food and to have a straightforward guide they can consult when problems arise. So, here’s how to identify, prevent, and remedy some common physiological problems, meaning they’re caused by environmental conditions rather than pests or diseases.

Why Do my Cucumbers Taste Bitter?

Have you ever picked a cucumber, expecting a delicious flavor, only to discover it was extremely bitter? Or harvested lettuce for a summer salad, but the lettuce tasted awful? These issues are caused by environmental stresses. Cucumbers and other cucurbits contain natural chemicals called “cucurbitacins.” Environmental conditions, such as extended periods of high temperatures or even cooler-than- usual temperatures, cause cucurbitacin levels to rise, resulting in bitter fruits. Irregular watering is another trigger for this. For example, if a gardener only waters the plants periodically, it stresses them. Low soil pH is another potential cause of bitterness.

Crops most impacted: Primarily cucumbers, but also other members of the cucurbit family (melons, pumpkins, squash), lettuce, and other leafy greens.

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