Fruit and veg
Keep plants well-watered and water regularly to avoid stress that leads to malformed fruit
Once fruit forms feed regularly with a liquid feed
Remove trusses below tomato fruit to increase air and light
Strawberries are producing new runners that can be pinned then transplanted in a few weeks’ time for next year
When runner beans reach the top of their support pinch out the tops to ensure they remain pickable
Pinch out the tops of aubergine and tomato plants once fruit has established so energy can be focussed on ripening the fruit
Remove spent canes from raspberries by cutting at base and tie in new growth
Summer prune apple and pear trees if they’re grown in cordons, espaliers or fans but leave trees and bushes alone until winter
Prune stone fruit trees, removing crossovers to leave an open goblet structure
Pests Watch out for tomato and potato blight and remove and destroy any affected leaves that you find
Keep checking undersides of brassica leaves for bright yellow eggs of cabbage white butterfly
Keep weeding to reduce competition for nutrients and water your produce needs
Net berries to prevent birds and squirrels taking the harvest, using 4cm netting to reduce the possibility of birds getting caught up, keeping it taut and marking it with old CDs
Keep checking for aphids and spray affected plants with mix of washing up liquid and water
Keep eyes peeled for carrot fly, particularly following thinning out and picking
Look out for blossom end rot (black and sunken at end of fruits) on tomatoes and aubergines, a result of irregular watering so remove affected fruit and correct the watering regime
After harvesting an area consider letting chickens loose on an area with the brief to dispatch slugs and snails on sight
To sow
Thinking of winter and next spring, sow turnips, spring cabbage, lettuce, rocket, parsley and winter onions, spring onions, winter salads such as mizuna and lamb’s lettuce
Last chance to sow fast maturing salad ingredients such as rocket, radish, sorrel, lettuce, chicory and fennel
To harvest
Florence fennel, beetroot, chard, sweetcorn, French and runner beans, globe artichokes, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergine, chicory, carrots, second early and maincrop potatoes, fruit trees
Watch for the tops of onion, shallots and garlic leaves to bow over and then lift them to dry thoroughly before stringing and storing
Cut herbs, dry or freeze and store for use throughout the winter
Flowers
Water and feed plants in containers to keep them flowering strongly into autumn
Sweetpeas need picking so that they continue flowering. Remove any pods that develop so that energy can be focussed on the flowers.
Stake taller plants to prevent damage from rain and wind
Keep deadheading flowers to keep blooms coming
Cut wildflower meadows to spread seed
Lavender will stay in a better shape if you trim it back after flowering has finished
Take cuttings as desired
Prune summer flowering bedding
Sow next year’s hardy annuals direct into beds
Keep deadheading, watering and feeding hanging baskets to prolong their life
Consider keeping some seed heads as food for birds and as aesthetically pleasing features
Think about, choose and plant your spring flowering bulbs
Elsewhere
Top up ponds as required with rainwater
Remove water lily leaves and flowers that are dying off
Thin out pond plants if necessary
Keep skimming algae and unwanted weed out of pond with a net, a stick or rake
Keep bird baths clean and full
Don’t be concerned if birds are quitter and fewer, they are moulting which makes them feel lethargic but also makes them more vulnerable, so they tend to stay hidden
Dig in green manure if you’ve grown it
Trim hedges now that the birds have fledged Raise the mower blade height to allow grass a little more length to counter dry weather
Bats less than two months old begin to catch their own food so it is possible to see them swooping on insects at dusk
Take photos of what’s worked and what hasn’t so that when you have more time in winter you can consider how your summer planting and growing was as you start planning again
Take time to enjoy the cacophony of colours, scents and flavours of everything you’ve grown!
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This article first appeared in Smallholder magazine. Subscribe here, call 01778 392011, email subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk or buy a copy from your local newsagent.
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