And so with late summer here, and the fruits of the season’s labours can be gathered in! But the heat! In spite of its relentless presence, I hear that runner beans, tomatoes and onions, as well as root crops all seem to have been doing well this year. But maybe I am not alone in finding some brassicas have been less successful due to a greater number of aphids earlier in the season. Maybe I was a bit late in taking the advice to spray them early with a soap solution . Something to be aware of next time, I think.
But mid- and late summer is also a time to look forward. Apart from repeat sowings of lettuce, radish, spinach, french beans and beetroot for this year’s cropping, it is time to plan ahead by sowing winter and cabbage, for example. You can also harvest herbs for future use. Mint, thyme, rosemary and sage can all be air-dried by hanging in loose bunches in a warm place. Other herbs such as basil, parsley, coriander and dill can be frozen in bags or in ice after blanching.
Similarly, seed-collection from the flower beds for next season’s use is part of the late summer routine, in tandem with dead-heading for continuity for the season. Meantime, in the fruit garden, after reports of bumper cops of strawberries this year, it is time to transplant those strawberry runners to ensure next years’ increase.
As for such advice and its merits: earlier this summer I heard an edition of Radio 4’s “Start the Week” on “A Revolution in Food and Farming”. I was reminded as I regularly am, of how much there is to know about this whole gardening and horticultural caper and to be wary of conflicting certainties! George Monbiot (“Regenesis”) and Sarah Langford (“Rooted”) have both published extraordinarily far-reaching studies on the state of global farming and future solutions to feeding the world. In the radio discussion, Monbiot quoted from a particular peer-reviewed study, upon which he had based key elements of his argument. Langford countered that she had also studied this paper, and come to an exact opposite conclusion!
Best, therefore to enjoy the uncertainties! That’s what keeps us talking, we happy and humble gardeners and allotmenteers. MUWAGA evenings offer just such an opportunity, and we are looking forward to our new season of talks starting on September 28th. Details of this and our evolving programme are here. Do please also take a look at the reviews of recent talks to give a flavour of what to expect.
Members meantime are looking forward to meeting on August 20th in the Village Hall garden for a social afternoon to mark the harvest season and enjoy tales of mutual success – and indeed commiserate on mutual failures. Why not become a member and join us – it’s not too late for the coming season!
Fare Forward, Gardeners!