10 Difficult Crops to Grow in the UK and How to Overcome Their Challenges

Growing crops in the UK can be tricky due to the unpredictable weather, pests, and soil conditions. Some crops, despite being commonly grown, require extra care to thrive. Below are ten of the hardest crops to grow in the UK, the challenges they present, and practical solutions to help you achieve success.

1. Celery – Requires Consistent Moisture and Nutrients

The Problem

Celery is one of the most challenging vegetables to grow because it demands consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil. If the soil dries out, the stalks become tough and stringy, and the plant may bolt (go to seed early). Celery is also slow-growing and highly susceptible to pests like slugs and aphids.

How to Overcome It

Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with well-rotted manure or compost before planting to improve water retention.

Watering: Keep the soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. A thick layer of mulch helps retain moisture.

Protection: Use slug pellets or organic methods like beer traps to deter slugs. Netting can prevent aphid infestations.

Variety Selection: Self-blanching varieties like ‘Lathom Self-Blanching’ require less effort than trenching varieties.

2. Cauliflower – Extremely Sensitive to Temperature Fluctuations

The Problem

Cauliflower requires steady, cool conditions and struggles in heat or sudden temperature changes. If exposed to stress, it may produce small, deformed, or discoloured curds (flower heads). Pests like cabbage white butterflies also pose a threat.

How to Overcome It

Timing: Plant in early spring or late summer to avoid extreme heat.

Protection: Use fleece to shield young plants from frost and netting to keep caterpillars away.

Soil and Feeding: Provide calcium-rich soil to prevent “buttoning” (small curds). Use high-nitrogen fertiliser for strong growth.

Shading: In hot weather, tie leaves over developing curds to prevent sunscald.

3. Carrots – Vulnerable to Carrot Fly and Soil Issues 

The Problem

Carrots require loose, stone-free soil for straight root development. They are also highly susceptible to carrot fly, whose larvae burrow into the roots, making them inedible.

How to Overcome It

Soil Preparation: Remove stones and use sandy, well-drained soil. Avoid adding fresh manure, which causes forking.

Carrot Fly Prevention: Grow resistant varieties like ‘Flyaway’ and use 60cm-high mesh netting to keep the flies away.

Companion Planting: Grow alongside onions or garlic, as their scent deters carrot flies.

4. Onions – Prone to Disease and Bolting

The Problem

Onions can suffer from fungal diseases like white rot and downy mildew. They also bolt (flower early) if stressed by sudden weather changes.

How to Overcome It

Crop Rotation: Avoid planting onions in the same spot each year to prevent disease buildup.

Spacing & Airflow: Give plants enough space for good airflow to reduce fungal risks.

Bolting Prevention: Use heat-treated onion sets, which are less likely to bolt.

5. Strawberries – High Maintenance with Pest Issues

The Problem

Strawberries are prone to pests like birds and slugs. They are also susceptible to grey mould (Botrytis), which spreads in damp conditions.

How to Overcome It

Bird Protection: Cover plants with netting to stop birds from eating the fruit.

Slug Prevention: Apply straw mulch under plants or grow in hanging baskets.

Disease Control: Ensure good airflow by spacing plants apart, and remove affected fruit quickly.

6. Brussels Sprouts – Wind and Pest Problems

The Problem

Brussels sprouts take a long time to mature and need cold weather to develop flavour. However, they are vulnerable to cabbage white caterpillars, aphids, and strong winds that can snap tall plants.

How to Overcome It

Pest Protection: Use insect mesh to keep butterflies away and remove caterpillars by hand if necessary.

Windproofing: Stake tall plants and firm the soil around them to keep them stable.

Frost Advantage: Leave sprouts to mature into late autumn—frost actually improves their flavour!

7. Aubergines – Need Heat and Hand-Pollination

The Problem

Aubergines struggle in the UK’s cooler climate, requiring consistently warm conditions to flower and fruit. They also rely on pollinators, which may not always be available indoors.

How to Overcome It

Grow in a Greenhouse: Use a polytunnel or greenhouse to maintain warm temperatures.

Hand-Pollination: Use a small paintbrush to transfer pollen between flowers if bees are scarce.

Variety Choice: Compact varieties like ‘Moneymaker’ or ‘Patio Baby’ are better suited for the UK.

8. Parsnips – Slow Germination and Forking Roots

The Problem

Parsnip seeds take a long time to germinate, sometimes up to four weeks. Stony soil can cause forked roots.

How to Overcome It

Pre-Germination: Soak seeds overnight before planting, or start them on damp paper towels indoors.

Soil Prep: Use deeply dug, fine-textured soil free from stones to prevent forking.

Marking Rows: Sow radishes alongside parsnips—radishes sprout quickly and help mark where the parsnips are.

9. Sweetcorn – Requires Pollination and Warmth

The Problem

Sweetcorn needs warm temperatures and good pollination to produce full, well-formed cobs. If poorly pollinated, cobs will have missing kernels.

How to Overcome It

Plant in Blocks: Group plants in blocks rather than rows to improve wind pollination.

Hand-Pollination: Shake the tassels (male flowers) over the silks (female flowers) to ensure proper pollination.

Choose Quick-Maturing Varieties: ‘Swift’ and ‘Lark’ are good for the UK’s shorter summers.

10. Peppers – Need Heat to Ripen Properly

The Problem

Peppers grow slowly and often fail to ripen outdoors in the UK due to short summers and inconsistent heat.

How to Overcome It

Early Start: Sow seeds indoors in January or February for a long growing season.

Maximise Heat: Use black pots to retain warmth and place plants in the sunniest, most sheltered spot.

Harvesting Tip: Green peppers are unripe versions of red ones—pick early if needed!

While these crops can be difficult to grow in the UK, careful planning and smart techniques can help you overcome their challenges. By improving soil conditions, protecting against pests, and adapting to the climate, even the trickiest plants can be successfully cultivated. With patience and effort, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest despite the UK’s unpredictable weather.

Happy growing! 🌱