A few months ago you decided what fruit and vegetables you wanted to grow, read our grow your own guides and got planting. Now that your crops are ready to harvest and eat you need to know how to make the most of your hard work.

Water

During the hot summer days the soil around your plants will dry out. Give your veg a good soaking with a watering can (a hose wastes too much water), aim for the bottom of the plant rather than the leaves to make sure the roots get a good drink. The best time of day to water is in the early evening when the sun has left your garden. If the sun is still out the water will dry up too quickly.

Feed

Some plants could do with a helping hand when they’re producing their edible treats. Add tomato feed to the watering can (you might need an adult to help as the feed contains chemicals) and give your plants a feed once a week. Tomato plant feed can be used on other plants, not just tomatoes.

Weed

Just as your veggies are growing in the water and sunshine, so are the unwanted weeds. Look out for any weeds close to your plants, you don’t want them taking your vegetable’s share of the water and nutrients from the soil. Be on guard for bindweed which has pretty flowers but will wind itself around your plants, choking them. When you pull up weeds try not to disturb the soil around your veggies.

Store

Some crops like tomatoes and salad leaves can be picked whenever you’re ready to eat them. But some crops will be ready all at once and so need storing for future meals. Onions need to dry out for a day before hanging them in a net bag. Don’t wash potatoes but check them carefully and pick out any that look rotten. Store potatoes in paper bags and keep in a cool dark place.