Fruit

Outdoor tomatoes should be making strong growth. Keep side shoots pinched out, stake as required and do not overwater at this stage if soil moisture is plentiful.

Russian Red, Black from Tula and Purple Russian are coldtolerant tomatoes that can be grown without protection, although they do best if sheltered from cold winds.

When the fruit begins to swell, mulch the ground under the tomato plants with straw to keep the soil warm overnight.

Apple trees sometimes have a fluffy white growth, American blight. It is actually an excrescence produced by a type of aphid (Schizoneura lanigera) to protect itself and can be spread by strong winds.

Methylated spirits or kerosene rubbed on the fluff kills the bugs. Because the aphids often drop to the ground, it is important to keep the soil clear so birds can do their work or, alternatively, use a soil fumigant to kill the insects.