TOP TIP
September has arrived, bringing with it a slight chill in the air each morning. Summer sunshine is behind us and, while there’s still plenty of fair weather, warmth isn’t guaranteed.
Before storing, dry the beans thoroughly by laying them in a single layer, in a warm, dry place. The beans are ready when your finger nail makes no indentation.
One thing this month does provide is beaming low light over the western horizon as the day ends.
As the plot quietens down, it gives me a real sense of achievement. I can’t resist checking on the produce stacked in the shed and lined up in jars filling my kitchen cupboards. The freezer is packed, too.. I am very grateful to the summer season gone by.
Leave a long stem
on squashes when harvesting – they can be tidied up later
My eyes dart to the drying pods of French beans and the winter squashes sitting proudly raised off the ground on slates. Squash will be the last of the outdoor summer produce to be harvested.
Saying that, the greenhouse is in no mood to slow down. Weekly feeds are boosting the chilli and pepper plants, helping them to stay productive. If the plants are happy, then so am I!