Patrick's Polytunnel

Just about managing. The long days with maximum sunshine have produced rampant growth. Careful management is needed. Big healthy plants should lead to big crops. If all tomato flowers are allowed to fruit, the plants will be overloaded, fruit size reduced and a glut in August will leave exhausted plants with little late yield. I'm removing complete trusses of tomato flowers and reducing the size of the rest. A strong low sideshoot can remain, and be nursed to continue flowering when the main plant is stopped at about 5 feet. This will give tomatoes in October. Cucumbers easily overcrop - and then give up early. Allow fruit only on the main stem and remove every other small fruit. The same discipline suits courgettes. A weekly feed will keep the swelling fruits supplied with resources. Leaves in the shade do little good - a sharp knife is best for all pruning or trimming. Choose a day when clothes are drying well.

All crops are growing fast - likewise the weeds; so - collect larger leafy weeds, chop them up with kitchen by-products. Add some mowings. This mixture can be spread to cover - and protect - bare earth. TOMATOES I reduce the load on every tomato truss, while buds are green. As a result, there will be no tiny fruits - every tomato will be edible. All plants with flower or fruits on receive a liquid feed every week. I use Maxicrop. Tomato plants - and others - produce excessive amounts of leaf. Only those that get direct light do their best, so I cut off shaded leaves. Air movement is improved and mildew spores have reduced chances - and more nutrients reach the well-lit leaves of our precious plants.