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's not just about fruit harvests, pumpkins and squashes, but also rust fungi.But here's the problem: rust fungi thrive when there's a lot of surface moisture about, and it hasn't rained for ages. The only moisture on the grass is from the morning dew. So can

the upper regions of the compost food-chain, feeding on the clouds of fruit flies, moth flies and other small insects that devour the endless cascade of banana skins and potato peels. I'm not sure what species they are, but I'll keep an eye out to see what

I adore home-grown courgettes. They lack that slightly bitter taste and spongy texture you can get with supermarket specimens. My first fruits were a bit late this year, as I’d delayed planting because of cold weather. They were well worth the wait

but Jekka. She is our equivalent of Pele or Bono.I went to visit her farm the other day, where we had a fine afternoon investigating all sorts of herbs from the mundane (but essential) to the super-exotic Chilean guavas (Ugni molinae), the fruits of which

, the prickly pear, which are often dotted with fruits.The bird of paradise flower, Strelitzia, always seems at its most vigorous and vibrant in Madeira, too. I always find hard to avoid the temptation of buying a packet of the seed while I’m there. There

Castle, near Belfast.The early courgette fruit that I boasted about in a recent blog has fallen victim to the combination of dry weather and strong winds – I found it lying, dehydrated and dishevelled, on the ground this morning.Moisture is lost from

watered erratically. This makes their plant cells more vulnerable to scorch damage.There's not a lot we can do about wind scorch or damage from heavy rain and hail, but we can change our watering technique to protect container plants and fruit and veg from

second crop from early fruiting plants. I’m hoping the heat will prompt a little more growth of my pumpkins, and will ripen my new Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana). And if I’m lucky, the sun will dry out the soil surface and frazzle the slugs

Bury blackberry shoot tips and peg down for new plantsFruit & vegWater tomatoes regularlyFeed tomato cropsBe on the lookout for aphids, vine weevils and other pestsGreenhouse20 minutes to plantLearn how to ensure a continuous supply of lettuce through the summer

of soilFruit & vegClear fallen leaves from greenhouse gutters Bring tender plants under cover before frosts strikeWash off any remaining summer shading paint Greenhouse2 weekendsLearn how to build a raised bed in your garden