In the garden in late June

Credit: Carolyn Herriot

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Above: It’s usually around the middle of July that hardneck garlic (rocambole) varieties produce seed heads, also referred to as scapes. These need to be cut off, because allowing garlic to go to seed compromises the size of the developing bulb. The stems are tender and delicious chopped into recipes for a zippy hit of garlicky greens. I add chopped scapes to omelettes, stir fries, salads and blended salad dressings.

Above: The asparagus season never lasts long enough for me. I know when it’s over because the spears rapidly grow into ferny foliage that feeds the roots for next year’s harvest. It’s now that I spread a barrowful of manure or compost over the asparagus patch, because it’s a heavy feeder. Photo

‘Green Goliath’ broccoli is one of my favoured varieties because it’s such a good producer of large, bright green heads and produces enough side shoots after the main head has been harvested to last the entire summer/fall season. I have now adapted this variety to over winter in my garden, so now we enjoy it in winter too.

Brazilian snow peas have ornamental purple pink flowers and are very productive. This is a good time to harvest regularly, as the more you pick the more they produce. They are sweet and tender when the pods are still flat with immature young peas developing inside. They can be lightly steamed or stir fried, or just cut up and tossed into salads. Crunch!

Get more information about the Victory Garden Program.