No wonder we talk about the weather so much. Over the last few days it has been difficult to believe that we are still ‘enjoying’ summer. Cool days, incessant rain and cold nights – no wonder our plants are bewildered. A friend was telling me that in her garden some of the spring flowers are in bloom. Along with every other tomato grower I am waiting for some hot sunny days to ripen them off. During the week I cut back lots of the lower leaves to let the air circulate more freely. I have been told that putting banana skins round the roots of the plants helps ripening, a tip worth trying. My courgettes and ridge cucumbers are still cropping but have slowed down. The ‘cut and come again’ lettuce leaves have bolted so will have to be composted. But, all in all, it’s been well worth the effort and the pleasure of just going out of your own back door to pick really fresh produce can’t be over-estimated.

You may be able to keep your hanging baskets and containers going for a few more weeks. Even if you used a slow release fertiliser when planting the time has come to top it up. Give them a treat with a couple of high potash feeds. It’s still important to keep on with the watering and dead-heading and don’t hesitate to get rid of any plants that are finished or showing signs of disease.

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