There are so many crops coming to maturity, that it’s a proper vegetable bonanza at the moment. Salad crops particularly are in full flow and need to be picked daily to ensure the freshest, tastiest crops - and meals. Runner and French beans and peas need regular picking to make sure they keep their full flavour and don’t go stringy, and courgettes to prevent them turning into monster marrows.

Other tasty treats include sweetcorn, which is now ready for picking and there’s nothing to beat the fresh flavour - it’s so much tastier than shop-bought ones. Tomatoes are finally ripening - the poor summer weather has prevented them ripening properly; I predict a EU green tomato chutney mountain this year!

Keeping it fresh

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with a productive plot. What do you do with all the excess crops that you can’t eat straight away? Usually at this time of year I’m pickling and making jams and chutneys like there’s no tomorrow. So I was really interested to see the new Active Oxygen Fridge Freezer, which we’re offering as a competition prize. It ensures your fresh food keeps its ‘first day freshness’ for up to 9 days longer, so helps even out the gluts. Sadly, I can’t enter, but I would if I could.

Visit the LoveTheGarden facebook page to find out more and enter the competition

How are you coping?

I hope you’re keeping on top of your productive plot. Let us know how you’re getting on and what you’re doing with all that lovely food.