Seasonal Gluts

Sep 1

Posted by bodonnell in Homegrown Food

Visiting a green-fingered friend of mine over the weekend I came away with an armful of her surplus vegetables. It set me thinking what do people do with the seasonal gluts from their gardening?  So I asked around to see what my colleagues here at Suttons are getting up to with their excess produce.

We are obviously all friendly folks here as giving our gluts away to friends, family and neighbours were all popular choices but we have also been busy in the kitchen.

Chutney has been made, particularly popular is Runner Bean or the more unusual Sweet Red Onion & Runner Bean.

Everyone has also been blanching and freezing Runner Beans ready for Christmas dinner – ideal for Broad Beans too.

Pickle shallots ready for Christmas, same for Gherkins and, of course, Onions.

We have plenty of uses for Tomatoes. Freeze them on trays, put into plastic bags and then when making soups and stews just pop them in as they are.  If you want to eat them now, a tomato soup is easy and tasty. Or bring a taste of Italy or Mexico into your life by making copious amounts of Garlic and Tomato Bruschetta and Hot Salsa, a great way of using up Tomato Tumbler.  Making Ratatouille is also popular either to eat straight away or to freeze and eat later.  One person makes Tomato Jam – sounds peculiar but I am assured that it tastes delicious!

Several people have Chilli gluts and are drying them for use later.  One very industrious person made curry paste, but did say it wasn’t really worth the effort!

Plums are being turned into jam, jam and more jam…. And when you have exhausted your jam jars and your friends refuse to take any more, then just leave them on the trees and give the birds a treat!

And finally we are all getting the forgotten juicer from the cupboard and making delicious and healthy drinks.

Thanks to Lis, Brian, Fran, Dawn, Anita, Pam, Rufus, Julie and Glen for all their suggestions.

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September in your garden

Sep 1

Posted by Sue in In Your Garden Now

Can you believe it, September’s here already with the sun shining, well at least in Torbay! Who knows, perhaps we’re in for an ‘indian summer’ – how great would that be! Wouldn’t it be nice if we can still find a bit of time to enjoy sitting in the garden. Enough of the weather as it’s a good time to begin general maintenance on the lawn, along with tidying borders and containers so they will be ready for planting spring flowering subjects. Also a number of vegetable and flower seeds can now be sown outside and inside.

 

Fruit

For raising new plants of blackberry, bury tips into the soil of any shoots that have developed this year, as they will quickly form roots and new shoots will develop next spring. Once this has happened the new plants can be separated and planted where you plan to grow them.

Try to avoid wasp damage to early fruiting apples by hanging wasp traps in the branches of the trees. Pick fruit from these early ripening varieties as soon as they are sweet enough to eat as they don’t keep.

All shoots that have carried peaches should be pruned so that newly formed ones can be tied to ones formed this year and these will flower next spring.  

Crops of raspberries, blackberries and other autumn-fruiting varieties should be covered with netting to keep birds away. However, the netting should be checked daily making sure no birds or any other animals are trapped. 
 

Flowers 

Once the summer bedding plants have been removed, plant spring flowering plants such as bellis (daisy), pansy, polyanthus, primrose and wallflowers along with spring flowering bulbs. It is a little early to plant tulip bulbs which should be left until November to avoid attacks of Tulip Fire. This disease causes scorched areas on the leaves and spotting on the flowers. The following hardy annuals can be sown outdoors – calendula, cheiranthus, godetia, larkspur, nigella and poppy. Wild Flowers that can be sown direct outdoors are field scabious, field cornflower and feverfew. In the greenhouse sow cyclamen, pelargonium, schizanthus and strelitzia. Sow in a cold frame the wild flowers primrose and cowslip. Sweet peas can be sown in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to over-winter. The young plants can then be planted out in March/April to obtain early blooms. It is now a good time to begin watering dormant cyclamen pot plants which were left to die down for a rest.

When rose blooms have faded a last deadheading of roses can be done, and taller stems may be slightly shortened so that movement from wind can be reduced. During the early part of this month stem cuttings may be taken. Cut a length of stem, remove the soft tip just above a leaf joint, cutting below a joint at the base removing all but the top three leaves. Place directly into the soil approximately 30cm (12”) to about half its length somewhere in the garden where they can remain to root and develop for about a year.

Bulbs

Gladioli are still giving enjoyable displays in the garden but it might be nice to cut a few spikes for indoors. Should thrips be causing a nuisance spray with Bug Clear. Once flowering has finished, the corms may be lifted, cleaned and carefully stored for planting out again next spring. So that dahlia stems do not break in the wind tie them to supports such as canes.  Remove any deadheads and cut some flowers for a nice display indoors. When lily bulbs become available they can be planted as soon as you want. 

Bedding and Pots

To make sure displays last well into autumn remember to still give them a little attention.  Water regularly, daily if possible, keep pests under control and, of course, remove any fading blooms. Pot any of the tender plants you may wish to save for next year so that they are allowed to become established in readiness for being placed under cover when the weather starts getting cooler.  

Lawns

Early September is an ideal time to sow a new lawn or make repairs to an existing lawn.  Grass growth is slowing, therefore, reduce the frequency of mowing. Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves. General maintenance should be carried out to established lawns, aerate by spiking with an aerator or fork, apply a top dressing and towards the end of the month apply an autumn fertiliser.

Vegetables

Plant onion sets of an over-wintering variety from the middle of the month. Sow winter lettuce Valdor and Winter Density. A few cut-and-come again salad varieties could be planted in pots for tasty leaves in the autumn. Lift maincrop potatoes and allow to dry prior to storing in wooden trays in a dark, cool, frost-free shed or garage. Transplant spring cabbage into their final positions. For a supply of herbs during the winter, pot up plants of basil, marjoram, mint, oregano and parsley and grow them on the kitchen windowsill. Crops should be picked regularly ensuring they are always fresh and tender, and items such as courgettes and beans shouldn’t be left too long prior to picking. Tomatoes and chillies in greenhouses should still be watered during late summer sunshine. Celery plants reaching required size can be lifted carefully with a hand fork.

Pond Care

Pond debris, particularly if the weather has been windy, should be removed by using a net, rake or pond vac. It is important that any dead or dying plant matter is removed immediately so it is not allowed to fall into the water, as this can lower the oxygen content and may also harbour diseases. To catch falling leaves secure a net over the pond. Filters and pumps should be kept going, remembering to check them regularly to see if they need cleaning. It may prove worthwhile to siphon off around a quarter of the water in the pond replacing with fresh if your fish stocks are high. To build up fish strength in preparation for the winter give them a high-protein feed.

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It doesn’t matter if the skies are grey or blue……

Aug 27

Posted by Bea in In Your Garden Now

Carole King sang about the weather so beautifully in her song ‘It might as well rain until September..’

Well yes and no because I think that she might have been thinking more about the love of her life at the time and was a tad immune to anything going on in the outside world. She also said she didn’t need sunny skies for the things she had  to do, well a few more would be nice before we settle down to warm and cosy nights around the fire. And of course it would make the task of preparing for the autumn/ winter much more enjoyable.

Looking around the Trials ground today you can see the ravages of the recent weather and of course the ominous onset of autumn. It is amazing how nature constantly lets us know whose in charge of proceedings, however much we moan.

Of course some flowers are in their element now, such as Rudbeckia with their gorgeous autumnal red –gold shades, lifting their heads and lighting the touch paper on those cooler days to come. The Asters are also holding their own in the wake of the  deluge, and continue to smile their way into the gardeners ‘must have’ list of  flowers. Sunflowers that were holding back a little have now raced away down the fast track and are coming into bloom, and with their incredible versatility they deserve to show off a little.

On the vegetable front the sweet corn are cropping really well and the marrows and pumpkins have lapped up most of the summer sunshine and the latest downpours of rain, which in their case equates to a gourmet lunch at Harrods! They are thriving on the excellent combination of lots of heat and water, so where are the camels?

The Bank Holiday weekend is upon us once again, how time flies, and of course there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden, unless you would rather be stuck in a traffic jam of course going nowhere fast (well that’s usually the case anyway). I think probably a good old tidy up is definitely on the cards for me. The weeds and brambles in the front garden have suddenly thought that they are in ‘run riot’ heaven and unless I tackle them now they could prove to be a pain in the proverbial by spring.

September is always a good time to think about weeding and reseeding the lawn. The ground at this time is the ideal temperature and is much better than trying to do it in the winter, when the birds would probably think – ahh supper! And sadly, your houseplants vacation in the garden should now be over and they should be re introduced to their warm and comfortable surroundings.

Now is the ideal time to buy and plant all your winter bedding. Make sure that your garden looks spectacular in the spring with a delightful show of colourful beauties.

All that delicious summer fruit should now be picked, including apples, pears, blueberries and blackberries. Of course folklore legend has it that the Devil pees on the blackberries after the 10th October. All I can say is he must have got a darned good bladder to last that long!

Make sure that you have ready your storage boxes, clean wooden trays etc, and a good supply of sterilised jars for all that lovely jam and chutney.

It doesn’t matter if skies are grey or blue… so it might as well rain until September….

Have a good holiday weekend.

Bea

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Open Weekend pics

Aug 16

Posted by Suttons in News from Suttons

Just to let you know that there are a couple of pictures from the Open Day on our Facebook page. Unfortunately we were so busy we didn’t manage to get many snaps but these two give you a flavour of the day. Thanks so much to everyone who came and made it such a great day, and espcially to the volunteers from Children’s Hospice South West for helping things go so smoothly.

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And the winner is..

Aug 13

Posted by Suttons in News from Suttons

It’s time to announce another winner of a £25 Suttons Gift Voucher for their contribution to our social media channels – and the winner is MuddyBoots for their many and varied contributions to the forum. Thanks, MuddyBoots, a £25 gift voucher is on its way to you.

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Open Weekend beckons

Aug 13

Posted by Suttons in News from Suttons

Trials Grounds Open WeekendThe Trials Ground Open Weekend starts tomorrow and it feels a bit like Christmas Eve in the Suttons office! Well it’s more like the day before visitors arrive – we’re frantically sweeping, cleaning and weeding; making sure that everything looks presentable.  The weather is fine today and we’re optimistic (ever optimistic) that it stays good for the weekend.

Our Open Weekend is your chance to take a sneak preview of all the tempting new vegetables on trial and the colourful delights and scents of a vast array of beautiful flowers.

The weekend is in support of the Children’s Hospice South West which we’re delighted to continue to support.

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Splitting The A-tom….

Aug 6

Posted by Bea in Homegrown Food

Tomatoes have been having  a wonderful time recently- basking in the sunshine, having the odd shower just to wash off the dust,  plenty of food, care and attention (blimey- I think I’ll come back as a tomato,it sounds fabulousl!).

However, I have noticed that the leaves on my plants have been looking past their best and I thought that they may have got the dreaded blight. I asked our chap Toby who suggested that I take off the leaves and destroy them (do not put on the compost heap!) and if the plant is strong enough it may grow through it, if indeed it has the blight.

Another question I put to Toby was ‘ If the Tomato has blight are the fruits safe to eat?’ The answer, suprisingly was yes if the tomato looks in good condition.This prompted me to ask about ‘splitting’. Some of my tomatoes have been splitting and I wondered what the cause of this could be. It seems that it depends on the water uptake of the plant but it could also be the way in which it is picked.

If you take a close look at the photograph of Tomato Tomatoberry, you will see what looks like an elbow (kalix) coming off the stem of the tomato. Try and pick the fruit from that point, keeping the Kalix intact. this not only helps prevent splitting but also looks better if you were ‘showing ‘ the tomato.

Toby also added a note about some vegetables:

  • Spring planted onions should now be lifted and dried if they are showing any signs of mildew
  • Garlic can be pulled and dried now
  • Runner beans will be ready to crop

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All you need is Redlove

Aug 5

Posted by bodonnell in Growing fruit

Redlove even retains its colour when cooked

Redlove even retains its colour when cooked

It can’t be often that an apple make the news but then Redlove is more than an apple.

Unlike most apples you’ve seen before, Redlove is red to the core. You may have some memories of old varieties of apple that had red flesh but these had a bitter taste while Redlove tastes wonderful; crisp and juicy with a berry nuance. Fruit nurseries have been trying for decades to produce an apple like this and we’re delighted to work with Markus Kolbert from Lubera, the Swiss nursery that has developed Redlove and a fantastic range of other fruit.

Perfect for British gardens, whether in the ground or in a large pot, Redlove is easy to grow; it’s disease resistant with exceptionally high resistance to scab. Its unusual, long-lasting, deep pink spring blossom looks attractive in the garden and it’s also versatile in the kitchen – delicious eaten raw but also ideal for cooking, it even retains its red colour when cooked.

Dark fruits such as red grapes, blueberries and blackberries tend to be higher in antioxidants than other varieties so it’s not surprising that Redloves have around 13 times more antioxidants than a normal apple, putting Redlove on a par with blueberries for antioxidant content. This means Redlove is an ideal way to increase your intake of antioxidants. A Redlove a day will keep the doctor away!

Given all this, it’s probably not surprising that the press has taken so much interest in Redlove. From British institutions such as the Daily Mail and the BBC through to the Tehran Times and America’s Fox News, Redlove is definitely making waves.

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August in your garden

Aug 3

Posted by Sue in In Your Garden Now

With such good weather at the moment why not relax and enjoy it in your your garden, even though we know there are jobs still to be done to keep it looking good.

Even though ladybirds are an attractive sight in any garden they are also a great help to gardeners because they are a natural predator of aphids such as greenfly, blackfly and whitefly. So here’s a simple tip to help your plants to survive and thrive – when you see a ladybird in the garden, pick it up and place it in your greenhouse or on your roses, fruit trees or anything you’re worried about. It will make itself at home in no time and hungrily devour the pests. And don’t forget that you can attract more ladybirds with a Ladybird Tower or a Bug Box. 

Lawns

If you would like a fine finish to your lawn then cut more than once a week. Any weeds should be removed and, if required, the holes filled with a gritty compost followed by a small amount of grass seed being raked in. When the weather is dry and hot, ideally the grass should be kept slightly longer by setting the blades a little higher.

After being away on holiday you will want to cut the grass but to avoid any stress to the lawn it is best to do this gradually. We would suggest only removing 13mm (½”) of growth to start with, giving another light cut a week or so later, followed by cutting to the recommended height.

Prepare sites for new lawns, as towards the end of the month and into early September is an ideal time for sowing. The area should be level, free from large stones and weeds. It is very important to remove perennial weeds as these will be difficult to control until the lawn is established. Where perennial weeds are growing on the site, spray with a weedkiller containing Glyphosate some weeks before commencing soil cultivations. This will allow any re-growth to be treated for a second time.

Vegetables 

As many varieties of peas and beans come to fruition, the challenge for gardeners is to replace them with some more productive plants so consider onion sets or garlic? Sowings of Japanese bulb onion Senshyu Semi-Globe Yellow can be made outdoors from mid to late August for harvesting in July. Sowings can also be made of spring cabbage, chinese cabbage, corn salad, winter lettuce and radish.

As you lift your potatoes, why not replace them with Late Season potatoes which will give you a second crop in October. Maincrop potatoes can be lifted as required for immediate use and where they are to be stored, harvest in September or early October. The spread of potato blight can occur if conditions are hot and humid, therefore, to prevent attack it may be worth considering using a fungicide spray. Potato yields can also benefit by being given extra water.

The tips of any climbing shoots of runner beans should be pinched out should they reach the top of the supports. Small, tender courgettes can be regularly picked by using a sharp knife and carefully cutting them off at the base, protecting sensitive hands from the prickly leaves and stalks by wearing gloves. Any crops that are in flower, have fruit or pods on them must be watered well. The side-shoots on tomatoes should be pinched out regularly and the leading shoots tied to the supports. A high potash tomato fertiliser feed should be applied weekly and don’t let the plants go short of water. The tips of cucumber side shoots should be pinched out just two leaves beyond any fruit that may be developing. If any old fruit is left on the plants this will affect further flowering so remember to pick cucumbers on a regular basis.    

Fruit

Keep well watered during dry spells and weeds under control by hoeing. Cut down canes of summer fruited raspberries that have finished cropping, tying in new canes to supports and removing any spare ones. The runners of new strawberry plants should be secured into pots of compost or soil allowing them to root. The foliage should be removed just above the crown of each plant remembering to clear away any debris. Grape vines can be tied to supports. Main shoots and side shoots of gooseberries can be pruned back to five leaves encouraging fruiting shoots for next season to be produced.

If you haven’t already, why not take a look at our NEW & EXCLUSIVE Lubera fruit range where we offer some truly exceptional varieties of apples, blackcurrant, blackberry, figs, grapes plus many more. This includes the new and exciting Apple Redlove® that you may have seen on TV or in the papers.

Patio Pots, Baskets & Containers

Thoroughly water at least once a day making sure the compost doesn’t dry out completely. As compost can become bone dry in smaller terracotta pots than larger plastic pots any water will run straight off. It is, therefore, ideal to place pots, baskets, containers in a bowl, bath or even water butt leaving them in soak thoroughly for a short while. Also, just because it may rain, the compost could still remain dry due to foliage not allowing the water through.

 
  

Flowers

Some hardy annuals such as calendula, eschscholzia and myosotis can be sown direct in their flowering positions obtain early flowers next spring/summer. Seeds of perennial plants that can be sown now include cheiranthus (siberian wallflower), cyclamen hederifolium and potentilla. For colourful pot plants in the home, plants of cactus, cineraria, cyclamen, coleus and schizanthus can be raised from seed sown this month. Wild Flowers are becoming popular and sowings of cowslips and primroses should be made in trays, placing in a cold frame. Feverfew and field cornflower can be sown where they are required to flower. Now is a good time for cutting plants such as achillea, grasses and other everlasting subjects as they are at their peak. They should be hung upside down in an airy, warm place so that they can dry naturally ready for using in arrangements. Use bamboo canes to support stems of tall perennials and lilies.

Deadheading of roses should be done regularly, and flowers trimmed just above the top leaf on the stem. Stem cuttings can also be taken for propagating.

Bulbs

It may seem a long way off, but now is the perfect time to start planning the displays of bulbs that will fill your garden with colour next spring. Take a look at our comprehensive range of great value bulbs and perennials online, and get your order in now. We’ve got all your favourite varieties of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and loads more. Go on – make sure next spring is your brightest ever!

General and Pond Care

Cuttings of fuchsias and tender perennials can still be taken which will quickly root at this time of year. The resulting young plants will be sturdy and over-winter successfully on a windowsill. Cuttings can be taken now of houseplants such as coleus.

If plants being grown in patio pots are not doing as well as expected, this could be caused by either ants nesting in them or vine weevil. Preventative action should be taken and in the case of ants the pots could be stood, above the water level in large saucers of water, and in the case of vine weevil treat the compost with a biological pest control.

Going away on holiday and there’s no one to water your plants in the greenhouse or conservatory, then it may be worth considering one of the many watering devices available while away such as Watering Mats, Micro-drip Watering System & Timer Set, Watering Spike, Adjustable Drip Feeder. In the case of containers and hanging baskets it is well worth moving them to a situation where they are shaded and out of full sunshine. In the case of terracotta pots, if possible place them on trays spread with gravel and topped up with water, this will let the pots gradually absorb the water.

To prevent plants that are in a greenhouse becoming scorched, which can occur if the leaves are wet, on hot days either place netting or use a shade paint on the outside of the glass. In this instance, please remember to water plants carefully, it is always advisable on hot days to damp down the floor of the greenhouse as this will increase humidity.

This is an ideal time to clean out any empty water butts so that any dirt that may be trapped at the bottom is removed.

Use a net to remove any dead flowers or leaves. Overgrown pond plants can be thinned, and it may prove useful to take note of any waterlilies which will require dividing next spring. Feed fish regularly, taking care not to over-feed, with a varied diet to build them up. Any food remaining in the pond after ten minutes should be removed. To help aerate the water and keep fish healthy top up water levels. Oxygen can be increased by letting water gently fall into the pond from a hose at a height approximately 1m (3’). It may prove necessary to increase the amount of oxygen to fish and plants during thundery weather in which case leaving the fountain running overnight will prove helpful. If you haven’t a fountain then a gentle spray using a hose over the surface from time to time will prove beneficial.

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Help ladybirds to help us

Jul 26

Posted by bodonnell in News from Suttons, Wildlife gardening

Ladybirds are natural predators of aphids

Ladybirds are natural predators of aphids

Ladybirds are an attractive sight in any garden but they are also a great help to gardeners because they are a natural predator of aphids such as greenfly, blackfly and whitefly. So here’s a simple tip to help your plants to survive and thrive – when you see  a ladybird in the garden, pick it up and place it in your greenhouse or on your roses, fruit trees or anything you’re worried about. It will make itself at home in no time and hungrily devour the pests.

And don’t forget that you can attract more ladybirds with a Ladybird Tower or a Bug Box.

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