Garden tasks: Pickle, Relish and mildew

That's a pickle

If you don't know how to dry or bottle produce that you can't eat, consult somebody's aunt or grandmother. If you have excess, pickle or bottle something once a week.

Store with relish

Slow-roasted tomatoes will keep well packed in oil, while courgettes and beans are easy to freeze. Check out old family recipe books for chutney and relish recipes.

In a bind

Grab ties and stakes and tie up anything that's in a state of collapse, from tomatoes to beans to grapevines.

Mildew begone

When powdery mildew appears on your courgettes and other plants, give them a spray with a mix of 5g bicarbonate of soda in 600mls of water.