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
Growing Tomatoes
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
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
March: Starting indoors
All the best city gardens start in the house. With the weather too cold outside and spring not far away now is the time to get all the summer plants started indoors ready for planting outside in May. This is a sensitive time for gardeners and their partners. It is suggested gardening activities be confined …Read More about March: Starting indoors
Summer colours (Tomatoes)
It has been an exceptionally good year for tomatoes (so far) and an even better year for trying out new varieties. The Russian and Eastern European varieties were all started before the European and Mediterranean varieties and are now coming into full bloom while the regular European types are still green. It is amazing to …Read More about Summer colours (Tomatoes)
Experimental tomatoes
In recent years European tomato growers have taken an interest in varieties from Eastern Europe; Russia, Poland, Ukraine and even Siberia. These sturdy types of tomato are often early starters, late finishers and have increased resistance to tomato blight and other health problems that affect tomatoes grown in poor or unpredictable weather conditions. The many …Read More about Experimental tomatoes