Should I use fleece or mesh netting for autumn plants?
The two can seem interchangeable, but in fact they do not do quite the same job… Use horticultural fleece for warmth (and insect protection) Horticultural fleece is designed primarily for…
Growing Tips and Advice
How to minimise slug damage in autumn
Slugs remain active at this time of year, and if it is a mild winter, they may well stay active right through until spring. One disadvantage of autumn is that…
The Next Few Weeks – until the clocks go back…
Sorry to mention that the clocks will be going back soon, but they will. In about three weeks. So, we’re going to take a quick look at these next three…
October in the Veg Patch
There’s plenty to harvest in October, but we also have just a few weeks left in which to plant out veggies for the coming months. It’s worth grabbing the opportunity…
Growing herbs over the winter months
Whether you’re looking to get some new herbs planted up, or dealing with an established herb garden, here are some ideas for winter growing.
When can I harvest pumpkins & winter squash?
As the leaves turn mildewy and skins begin to turn colour, it is tempting to harvest winter squash and pumpkins as soon as possible, but it is so worth waiting…
Plant half your plugs indoors, and half outdoors
If you have a greenhouse or polytunnel, or even a cold frame or a sunny porch then this is such a great way of staggering cropping time to keep your…
Prune out winter squash & pumpkins this weekend
If you haven’t already done this, it is a really good idea to get it done this weekend. Pruning out excess leaves and vines will help the fruits to grow…
Make the most of the warm weather…
It is weird to think that last weekend we were giving you the heads up on possible frosts, and this week we’re encouraging you to make the most of the…
Storing your crops
Hopefully you’re harvesting all sorts of things at the moment, from french beans to maincrop potatoes. With so much coming out of the veg garden, it is helpful to know…
Alternaria leaf spot on brassicas
This is a common disease that strikes a lot of plants in the brassica family, like broccoli, kale and cabbage leaves. It is particularly prevalent during prolonged periods of warm,…
Early frosts might mean you need to harvest early
Early frosts look like they may catch some of us off guard this autumn. Already it has been very cold overnight with a hint of frost on the car windscreen…