August Harvest: Six Vegetables to Reap
Ready for a luscious August harvest? There are plenty of crops you can pick this time of year, ranging from juicy tomatoes to tender aubergines.
When the weather warrants, don't neglect your garden herbs. Preserve them cleverly - like freezing herbs in ice cubes or conserving your overall harvest.
- Savor August's Delights
Get your kitchen whipping up delectable dishes with crops ideal for August harvesting. Here's a brief rundown:
Tomatoes
Picking gloriously sweet and succulent tomatoes is a summer highlight of gardening. Grab any that come off easily with a gentle twist, but remember to not leave ripe tomatoes on the vine - they'll ripen too much, soften, split, and rot.
Extra Info
Incorporating herbs like basil, parsley, chives, and mint into frozen herb ice cubes enhances your August harvest storage. These freeze beautifully, maintaining their flavor for up to six months[1]. Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme can also be added, providing a decorative and flavorful touch to your ice cubes[2][3]. Chop these herbs finely, pack them into ice cube trays, and cover with olive oil or water, freezing until solid before storing[1][2].
Artichokes
The optimal time to reap globe artichokes is just before the sizable bud opens to flower. Just snip off the heads using secateurs, paving the way for more artichokes to grow.
Cucumbers
Home-grown cucumbers are the epitome of freshness compared to store-bought. Follow Monty Don's video guide to learn how to harvest them flawlessly.
Potatoes
Both second early and maincrop potatoes can be dug up in August. This is also advisable in locating potato blight - should you spot its signs, retrieve them promptly. Although you may still enjoy the potatoes, it is unwise to plant them, and be certain the affected plants are destroyed to avoid further infection[4].
Plums
Expect plums to peak in August and September. Harvest plump fruits by giving them a gentle squeeze. If they're soft, enjoy them straight off the tree or use them to send your desserts to cloud nine.
Aubergines
Enjoy the best aubergine yields when temperatures hover around 21°C. Snip off the glossy fruits when they appear. If they're matt, it suggests that the seeds have begun developing, and the fruit is no longer at its finest.
Varieties to Grow
- 'Black Egg' - a hardy Japanese heirloom variety suited for cooler climates
- 'Black Enorma' - an early cropper that yields impressive quantities of jet-black fruits
- 'Clara' - a unique pure-white variety with oval-shaped fruits
- 'Fairy Tale' - a container-friendly variety with slender fruits bearing purple and white stripes
- 'Melanzana Violetta di Firenze' - an exquisite Italian variety, characterized by ribbed, purple fruits
- 'Moneymaker' - a punctual variety offering large, deep purple fruits
- Elevate Your Food-and-Drink Experience
As the August harvest unfolds, immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of flavors by experimenting with various recipes featuring home-grown crops. Use your harvest's freshest produce to craft exquisite culinary masterpieces.
- Herb-infused Ice Cubes: A Green Touch to Your Beverages
To prolong the life of your home-garden herbs during August, create delightful ice cubes with basil, parsley, chives, mint, and even woody herbs like rosemary and thyme. Arrange finely chopped herbs in ice cube trays, cover with olive oil or water, and freeze until solid. Stir these frozen herb-infused cubes into your drinks for a touch of sophistication and flavor.
- Transform Your Home-and-Garden Lifestyle
Preserve the bountiful August harvest not just for cooking but also for gardening. Use your frozen herbs in creative gardening projects, such as crafting herb-infused garden stakes or creating eye-catching topiaries to enhance the beauty of your outdoor environment.
