GARDEN NOTES

Everything you need to know to get the most from your plot in August

Everything you need to know to get the most from your plot

I LOVE AN HONESTY STALL and at this time of year I am reaping the rewards of small vegetable plants picked up on my travels in the spring. At a garden gate stall in a Sussex village, I bought some sturdy-looking seedlings of tomatoes, aubergines and chillies, including a new tomato on me: ‘Mortgage Lifter’. It is an American beefsteak variety dating from the 1930s and, according to DT Brown Seeds (dtbrownseeds.co.uk), it was bred by a man with the equally intriguing name of Radiator Charlie. I am yet to taste its delights – or otherwise – but, alongside bright yellow ‘Sungold’, which I know I can rely on, I’m intrigued by ‘Sugar Plum Raisin’ (dobies.co.uk), which produces sweet cherry tomatoes that sun-dry on the vine without splitting.

Aubergines (left) are a delight to watch grow in the greenhouse, with attractive leaves and stunning purple flowers followed by slowly ripening fruit. ‘Bonica’ is a good, reliable variety with an AGM rating and lovely glossy skin. I also like the look of ‘Czech Early’ from The Real Seed Catalogue (realseeds.co.uk) – these produce tennis ball-size fruits that keep on coming, so I’ll put that one on the list for next year. Outside I’ll be direct sowing spinach, lamb’s lettuce and winter purslane. The latter is a favourite from the farmer’s market and it’s high time I tried growing my own.