TIME TO PICK OUT THE BEST

Thinking forward I will definitely grow ridge cucumbers again, they are still cropping well and look to go on for a few weeks yet. The yellow courgette has been a success and although the plant is now looking a bit tatty it has four courgettes in various stages of growth and a couple of flowers forming. The tomatoes are still showing an abundance of green fruit. A few ripen each day giving us enough for salads so perhaps its better that way. This week I will cut the leaves right back so any sun can get through and the plant will put its energy into producing fruit. I have grown two kinds of tumbler tomatoes, a general one which has done well and another labelled ‘Tumbling Tom Red’. I won’t grow the latter again, it has a dense bushy habit making it difficult to water and check on the fruit. The best and tastiest of this year’s crop has been ‘Piccolo’ given to me by a friend who grew them from some delicious tomatoes she had enjoyed from M&S. I am going to save some seed from them so have been checking on the best way to do this. I am advised to pick out some fully ripe fruit and cut them in half. Then scoop out the all precious seeds and gently sieve to remove the pulp and juice. Spread the seeds on a piece of paper towel to dry and store in a dry place ready for next year. Don’t take them off the paper – next spring just cut up the pieces of seeded paper towel and plant in the usual way.

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