Poor pollination
Growing problem Flowers appear but little or no fruit sets.
What to look for
Plenty of flowers but few or no fruit, small or misshapen fruit, or sweetcorn cobs with gaps in the kernels.
When: April to August, especially in cold, wet springs.
How to prevent it
- Plant flowers that attract bees and hoverflies near your crops.
- Grow sweetcorn in blocks rather than a single row so wind can pollinate it.
- Plant compatible pollination partners for fruit trees that need them.
- Avoid sprays that harm bees.
How to deal with it
- Hand-pollinate with a soft brush or by transferring pollen from male to female flowers (courgettes, squash, cucumbers and indoor fruit).
- Tap the stems of tomatoes and peppers on warm, dry mornings.
- Cover blossom with fleece on cold nights but remove it by day so insects can reach the flowers.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.