Steve’s Handy Hints
August 2007
 
The lack of sunshine and above average rainfall has made it a very difficult season. The heavy rainfall has leached nutrients from the soil so if your plants are looking battered and way behind when there is a warmer spell use some liquid feed to give them a boost. An Indian summer during September would be very welcome.

September can bring a touch of frost and you need to harvest any tender crops if frost is forecast.

This is a good time to start a new compost heap and collecting leaves for leaf-mould. There is still time to sow green manure such as winter beans or Italian rye grass for digging in next spring.

Very light soils can covered with polythene to avoid leaching.

Harvest Main Crop potatoes and any onions still in the ground, store carrots and beetroot in sand in boxes.

Cut down asparagus foliage when it turns brown mind the sharp spines on the stems put a layer of well rotted manure on the beds. Plant garlic it needs a cold spell to grow well.

Japanese onion sets planted now will produce onions next spring. Transplant spring cabbages sown last month cover with netting they are the pigeons favourite food.

Clear up any debris and falling leaves to avoid disease. Use any dry spell during September and October to dig over vacant areas
                                                       
Tip for the month
 
Put your green tomatoes in a drawer with a ripe banana the gasses given off will help ripen the tomatoes.

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