Storing Beans – Borlotti, Yin Yang & Canellini
Some of our bean varieties are particularly good for storing – these include Borlotti, Yin Yang and Canellini. You can either dry them to store in an airtight container, or…
Growing Tips and Advice
Leaf problems are common in early autumn
If you’re seeing powdery mildew on courgettes and squashes, or burnt looking edges and yellowing leaves on beans, or spots on spinach, don’t worry too much – you’re not doing…
Don’t harvest winter squash yet…
Although they often look very tempting to harvest now, in September, winter squash and pumpkins still need a little longer to ripen before you harvest them. Fruits are usually ready…
Ants & Aphids
Dry weather is likely to have provided the perfect conditions for ants to really get to work this season. For the most part, they do little harm, but do be…
Chewy, Stringy Celery?
Conditions have not been ideal for growing celery this summer – it is a thirsty plant, and the long, dry spells have been unfavourable. If you have harvested some recently,…
A Brassica Health Check
With the recent heatwave, cool-loving brassicas may need a little bit of extra care. This article looks at a few different things, from discoloured leaves and caterpillar damage, to cabbage…
Saving Fennel Seed
If your fennel has bolted, there is no need to pull it up. You can let it flower and then collect the seed to use in cooking. Like the rest…
Cut back flowering herbs in late summer
Some herbs will have flowered for a few weeks by now, and you’ll notice the leaves beginning to look a little worse for wear. You might get a second flourish…
A guide to Autumn Planting & Growing
Planting up in September or October will keep your veg patch productive, giving you a home harvest right through till next spring. Growing in autumn requires less work and attention,…
Mildew on peas
Late summer brings mildew to pea plants of all types, sugarsnap, garden and mangetout. You’ll recognise it from the white coating on the leaves, which will rapidly spread across the…
The Next Three Months – August to October in the Veg Patch
August is here and summer will soon start to wind its way into autumn. There is plenty to harvest, there are valuable jobs to be done and there’s a brief…
Late Summer Planting Guide
If you’ve lost plants due to the heatwave, or you’ve harvested a whole load of potatoes and made extra space in your vegetable garden, here are some great ideas for…