A flash of incandescent blue and grabbing the binoculars confirmed a rare moment of garden magic; a Kingfisher. It flitted past the pond, paused for a moment on a nearby branch and then was gone. What a marvellous sight.

All gardening advise about growing tomaotes will say to cut side shoots from Tomato plants - but why and what are side shoots? Why does this matter when  growing tomatoes?

Why, it is necessary because Tomatoes are very vigorous plants and you need to contain the plant to the main frame work. If every side shoot was allowed to grow the plant would be massive, all leaf and few flowers with a resulting poor crop of tomatoes.  When growing tomatoes not only should you cut off all side shoots, but also thin and reduce the amount of foliage particularly as the fruits form.

 What are side shoots?  See below the scissors point to the side shoot.

For more about growing Tomatoes

With the start of school holidays summer is officially here, even though the weather has yet to catch up. Everything in the garden is blooming and the veg plot is cropping so how do you go on  holiday and ensure all the plants and veggies survive?

The Sunday Gardener has a number of tips and suggestions on how to look after your plants and enjoy your holiday. The best plan is a friendly neighbour but if not click here for help and  advise

Courgettes are generally problem free, although prone to powdery mildew late in the season as the nights turn colder and especially if it has been a dry summer. Courgettes are also much effected by the weather and dislike cool conditions which can reduce pollination and so yields. Another problem of all of this family, squashes and cucumbers is they can root off at the stem where it meets the soil. This is much more likely to happen in a colder summer where after rain the wet lies in the soil for longer and newly planted courgettes which are not yet established are the most prone. If happy Courgettes fruit prolifically and two./three plants is usually enough for any courgette loving family.

For more about growing courgettes link to colour coded to help