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into the greenhouse sooner. The leaves have become slightly downturned – a classic response to cold weather. However, the plant is probably salvageable.Some plants, though, have hardly been affected at all. My small pepper plant is still sturdy and going strong

% better than most of the others, but it is late July when my tastebuds go crazy for what I call REAL tomatoes, those picked fresh and often a bit warm from the greenhouse, not just in ones and twos as you get at the beginning of the season

whiplash. Meanwhile, provided I wear my walking books I can just about stay upright, but with little, if any chance of actually doing anything useful. I even cleaned the inside of the greenhouse the other day (which, for me is rather like ironing

'Hundreds and Thousands', and I was lucky enough to be given a trial pack of seeds. It's a funny variety, with low-growing plants covered with numerous marble-sized fruits. I grew one plant unsuccessfully in the greenhouse and many very successfully

reducing the wind-chill factor.The soil is completely inaccessible, so I'll venture into the greenhouse to start some early veg sowing. If you're planning to do that yourself, remember to bring compost and some water into a warm spot first, to thaw and warm

on a bed of brown rice.All of these thoughts prompt me to engage in some therapeutic seed sowing. Sowing seeds is almost as comforting as eating the final result. After a few hours in the greenhouse sowing yet more peppers and chillies, including some

by brown rot. They were still delicious, though. The first plums were all harvested yesterday as they too were targeted by wasps.There has been a steady flow of blackbirds into my greenhouse - presumably after the tomatoes. I really adore blackbirds

the results within a week or two. No greenhouse needed - a well-lit window sill will suffice. You don't even need compost, as soggy kitchen roll or cotton wool will serve as a perfectly adequate growing medium.Children always enjoy sowing the seed in patterns

the sun's rays, burning leaves beneath them. This effect is exacerbated if the plants are in the greenhouse. I think this has happened to some of my ripening peppers.Some crops, like tomatoes and chillies, can develop low calcium levels if they have been

of algae on the greenhouse glazing – it’ll help to provide some shade. And I’m happy that I made some late sowings of my favourite vegetables, which now stand a much better chance of putting on useful growth and thriving.In this hot, dry weather I’ve been