Squishy squashes
Q
How do I know when butternut squash are ripe? RHIANNA MCKENZIE, LOUGHBOROUGH
A
When mature, the fruits will have a hard skin and sound hollow when tapped with your knuckles. To help them store well into March and beyond, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully ripened in a warm place, at about 15C (59F), after harvesting them some time in late September or October.
Q
Is it worth saving French beans to grow next year? ELEANOR TAYLOR-JONES, BY EMAIL
A
Provided the plants are healthy, you can save the seeds for sowing next year. Just let the pods turn brown on the plants before picking and drying them. You can also shell the beans from the pods (before they turn brown) and use them in stews as haricot beans.
Q Are the dark fruits on my fuchsia plant edible? ALI LOURENZ, LUTON, BEDS A
Fuchsia fruits are edible and have a sweet flavour and small pips. They can be eaten fresh or made into jam if you have enough of them. However, if plants are allowed to develop and ripen fruits they tend to stop flowering for a while.
Q
When can I harvest potatoes and onions? PAM REYNOLDS, NEWPORT
A
Once your early potatoes have flowered, dig up one plant to see if the tubers have formed – they should be ready to harvest now. Only dig up what you need so the skins stay soft and easy to scrub. Maincrop potatoes won’t be ready until September onwards. Onions should be ready now, to use fresh or dry for storing. Lift bulbs by pushing a fork under them to break their roots. As they turn yellow, lift and place in trays in a garden shed or dry greenhouse.