August Update: What are you growing in 2006? Tips for fruit/veggies/flowers

susiesue_2

does anybody know the best way to preserve parsley? i have loads and want to be able to use it over the winter.

freezing?? drying??

don't know what to do.

twink

not sure how to dry it but you could freeze it and if you give it a rub as soon as you take it from freezer you will have ready to use chopped parsley

frugglewump

March this year was the first time in 13 years that we've had a garden.
Didn't spend too much time growing stuff I have to admit, but the herbs in containers have done very well.

The basil was just from a supermarket pot, but is now about 3 times the size. We didn't use much of it because it was more for keeping out the flies. Hopefully it's big enough to last the winter outside (or in the shed) as I couldn't fit it on the windowsill anymore.

wigginsmum

We've now got winter cabbage growing on the allotment. Last night we planted potatoes in old towers to get new potatoes for Christmas, and tonight I'll be sowing kohlrabi which should be ready in 9 weeks.

soba

Just wanted to ask - if I save my butternut squash seeds will I be able to 'grow my own' next year? Do they have to be dried out? Or can I make a necklace out of them like my mum used to with melon seeds? TBH though would prefer to eat them than wear them:rotfl:

vivaladiva

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to ask if it is too late for my courgettes to ripen? (They are still flowering.) Also something has stripped my broccoli plant leaves to a few spindly stems :mad: - are they a write off?

vivaladiva

Further to above post, I've just been out and looked at my carrots, which are now minus their fluffy tops. There are some tiny - almost microscopic black spots on the stems that are left. Is this the dreaded carrot fly? :eek: :eek:

CAHA

susiesue wrote:

does anybody know the best way to preserve parsley? i have loads and want to be able to use it over the winter.

freezing?? drying??

don't know what to do.

We chopped in a mini blender and then froze in cheap freezer containers...went and gave it a little shake every now and then and it is fine...has kept flavour and colour...

wigginsmum

Courgettes on allotments near ours are still flowering so I wouldn't give up hope.

sheenaf

I have been growing courgettes for years now and usually get my biggest crop in SEPTEMBER, so you are panicking too soon. Certainly here in Scotland we usually get more sun in September than August. Courgettes will continue to thrive until first frost.

Same story with tomatoes. Had my first fully ripe outdoor tomato today - delish - and expect them to continue to ripen over next month. Then pick any left and put on kitchen window sill with one ripe one. Bannanas help ripen anything, which is why they should be kept in their own dish (unless you have plums, necterines etc. which need ripening up.

Talking of plums - I have none ripe yet - expect to start picking them in September.

Parsley? Will last until at least new year growing in a pot on inside window sill.