Our last show of the year is on Saturday 14th September in the village hall. Doors open at 2.00pm to reveal a mass of wonderful exhibits and a lovely tea so do come.
September really marks the beginning of autumn as spring and summer sown vegetables begin to wind down.
Dig main crop potatoes and remove any excess earth and allow to dry. Only store those that appear in perfect condition as one bad spud can ruin a whole sack. Store in potato sacks, double if possible in a dark cool frost free shed or garage to ensure they don’t go green. It’s a good idea to inspect them every three or four weeks and remove and use any that are less than perfect.
Dry off onions until the neck is completely dry and then either plat them or store them in a onion sack. Again inspect periodically
Keep picking beans and courgettes to try and prolong the season as much as possible.
With outside tomatoes remove the remaining leaves to allow maximum sunlight to encourage ripening. They can safely be left until the beginning of October before being brought in.
Peppers and aubergine will be ripening and are best used straight away. Chillies can be left to fully ripen and to be used as required. I think chillies are one of the few plants with which it is worth saving seed. They are largely self fertile so will breed true. The varieties are so numerous it seems sensible when you have one or two that meet your needs you stick with them. Let the fruit ripen and then dry before remove the seeds and storing the in an airtight container.
When loganberries and cultivated blackberries have fruited cut out the old cane and tie in the new. In my view easier said than done!
Apples and pears will be starting to ripen. With apples gently lift and twist and if it comes away in your hand it is probably ripe. When cut the seeds should be brown.
Pears are more problematic. Lift and bend back and if it comes away it is probably ripe.
Watch out for caterpillars and aphids on the brassicas and remove any dead or yellowing leaves and ensure the ground is free of debris.
Finally start thinking about autumn planting bulbs , not just onions, garlic and shallots but also daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. More next month.
Please remember our autumn show.
Good Gardening
Peter Estcourt