Gardeners always like to complain that last year was better in the garden. Last year was better in the garden. The cold start to this year, the heavy bouts of rain and sudden heatwaves meant most the plants have stopped and started all season. Now there is a sudden glut of produce in the garden …Read More about September: Harvest time
Diary of a Brussels Kitchen Garden
August: Hot August nights
Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Too much heat and too much sun is not good for plants. During heatwaves photosynthesis slows down and will stop altogether when temperatures rise to around 35C. Thus the garden is full of green tomatoes and semi mature fruits which will ripen when the temperatures …Read More about August: Hot August nights
July: Summer extremes
A bit of rain is always welcome at this time of summer but violent thunderstorms along with extreme heat can be quite difficult. Young plants are easily damaged in heavy downpours and tomato flowers can be knocked off. Following on from disturbed conditions last month most the garden crops are behind in their development compared …Read More about July: Summer extremes
June: Summertime
The transition from spring to summer has been a bumpy one this year. While June last year was very dry and very warm this year has seen thunder storms, torrential rains and blustery winds. This can be difficult for new young plants with rain damage to leaves but even more so by creating the perfect …Read More about June: Summertime
May: Summer is coming
Gardener’s often say “spring is late this year.” In olden days this meant the chill of winter had lasted longer. In the last couple of years here this has meant the weather in April and May has been unpredictable with fluctuations in temperature (especially at night) making it difficult to move plants outdoors so they …Read More about May: Summer is coming
April: Spring has sprung
In the old days gardeners used to say not to plant out in the garden until the bluebells have come out. This was an indicator that the cold of winter was passed and the warmth of summer was on its way. Over the last few years spring has become rather disrupted with temperatures in April …Read More about April: Spring has sprung