The main planting season is over, but we are trying to keep availability of a few short-term crops, lettuce, salad onions and beetroot. We have sown some Sweet Fennel which loves the heat but needs plenty of water.
Runner Beans are in full production now. It is worthwhile to take a cane and swish off the growing tips at the top. This will encourage new growth lower down, so you do not end the season with all the beans in a tangle at the top of the canes.
The top of Tomatoes should be pinched out around the second week in September, so the plant can concentrate its efforts on ripening the fruit that has set. Pollination can be poor in hot dry weather, so when you water, spray the leaves to increase the humidity and help the pollen to fall. Best done in the morning so the plants are dry again by night.
