Alan Titchmarsh has shared some key advice for gardeners who are looking to pick their ripening fruit and veg in the coming weeks, as he explained why the time of day is so important
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his latest gardening advice(Image: Dave Benett, Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Gardeners’ World star Alan Titchmarsh has issued an important reminder to fellow gardeners about a crucial gardening task in the coming weeks.
As the UK continues to bask in rising temperatures, many keen gardeners will be gearing up to harvest their ripening fruit and vegetables.
However, the television host has cautioned that the quality and taste of homegrown produce can fluctuate greatly depending on the time of harvesting.
The Gardeners’ World presenter emphasised the importance of timing when picking crops during a recent interview in Gardeners’ World magazine: “As a general rule, harvesting early in the morning or in the evening is preferable to harvesting in the heat of the day when dehydration may affect quality.”
Alan said that apples are less at risk of losing moisture(Image: Iuliia Bondar via Getty Images)
He noted that this advice is less critical for certain fruits and vegetables, such as apples and pears, which are less prone to moisture loss. Conversely, peas, beans and salads are more likely to lose moisture.
Furthermore, Alan underscored the significance of knowing when harvested produce is ripe for consumption. He suggested that while some crops are ready to eat immediately, others might require additional time: “Harvesting at the right time is crucial: some crops need to be eaten fresh, others will ripen and reveal their full flavour after being stored. Make sure you know the one from the other.”
Alan said beans are more likely to lose moisture(Image: mrs via Getty Images)
The National Trust also highlighted how September is a crucial month in the gardening calendar: “September is probably the most abundant month for British-grown produce. Summer crops, such as salads, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and runner beans, are still highly productive. Meanwhile, autumn crops such as apples, pears, squash and leeks are nearly ready for harvesting.”
Beyond sharing his latest horticultural expertise and guidance, Alan has cemented his position as one of the most revered figures in gardening over recent years.
While he had already built his reputation through appearances on BBC programmes Nationwide and Breakfast Time, his career reached new heights when he was named as the lead presenter of Gardeners’ World in 1996.
Alan left Gardeners’ World in 2003(Image: Dave Benett, Dave Benett/Getty Images for Killik & Co)
However, his tenure on the show concluded in 2003 when Monty Don took over his role.
Nevertheless, he has maintained a constant presence ever since, fronting numerous television programmes of his own, including Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV.
The most recent episode of the show featured conversations with Anita Dobson, Tom Allen, and Amol Rajan.
Comments are closed.