What we all had feared has come to pass. A hosepipe ban though the implementation of this seems to have produced a useful shower of rain! However watering has to continue but now by watering can. With a water shortage I think evening watering is better than doing it in the cool of the morning. A good soaking overnight allows the plant to become fully hydrated before the heat of the day and reduces evaporation. Always water at the base and try and keep the leaves dry especially on tomatoes and squashes.
Also I don’t think the abnormally high temperatures have done us any favours. Temperatures can get very high in a greenhouse and I think this inhibits the setting of tomatoes and along with maximum ventilation a spray of a fine mist may help though I fear it may be a bit late for this advice. Outside high temperatures inhibit the setting of runner beans and again a fine misty spray in the evening might help along with ensuring frequent watering.
Germination of salad crops, especially lettuce, is also inhibited by too high a temperature. However on the plus side the hot dry weather has reduced the problem of slug damage and lead to an excellent crop of apricots, plums and cherries.
Removing the lower leaves of tomatoes and exposing the fruit to direct sunlight will hasten ripening and encourage sugar production and hence sweetness. They should be picked as required and eaten straight away.
Sweetcorn will be producing cobs and tassels and in the absence of wind gently shaking the plant will aid pollination. To check for ripeness strip back the outer leaves of a cob to expose a kernel. Pierce it with a finger nail and if it exudes a milky fluid it is ripe. If the fluid is clear it needs a bit longer and if no fluid appears it is passed its best! Pick and eat straightaway as once picked the kernels start converting sugars to starch and the sweetness is lost.
Keep digging and storing potatoes. Only store those that are perfect and choose a cool dark place for the sacks.
By the end of the month figs will begin to ripen. Unfortunately a ripening fig is greatly sort after by birds. Netting a whole tree can be difficult so I tend to bag the figs individually using old tights or stockings which whatever their original use might have been are excellent at resisting a pecking bird and yet allow a degree of ventilation to the ripening fig.
Resist the temptation to water the grass. It may look brown and dead but grass has a great facility to recover once the rains come.
Trim back the whispery growth of wisteria to five to six leaves from the main stem.
Agapanthus benefit from a liquid feed in late summer after flowering to ensure a good display next year and like to be kept moist.
Our last show is on the 13th of September in the village hall. Put the date in your diary and come and join us for a relaxing afternoon amongst a wonderful display of vegetables, flowers, fruit, cooking, handicrafts and entries from children.
Good Gardening and Watering
Peter Estcourt