Helen Chesnut

The summer of 2026 has brought early heat, late rains and unexpectedly early ripening of fruits and berries to Vancouver Island’s gardens.

Tomatoes left on the vine or bush until they have ripened to a fully coloured stage are generally considered to be at peak flavour.

Helen Chesnut answers readers' gardening questions. Garlic bulbs in an ideal state for harvesting are held in a tightly knit bundle of cloves. HELEN CHESNUT

Midnight (West Coast Seeds) is a standout for its extreme vigour and large, ruffled, Spencer type flowers in deep maroon.

Begin acidifying the soil naturally by mulching around the bushes with pine needles, shredded leaves, or well rotted sawdust. Read more.

They simply melt away as adjacent rosettes fill in their spaces. Dear Helen: Is it true that rosettes of sedums and sempervivums (hen and chicks) die down once they have flowered?

Tomatoes left on the vine or bush until they have ripened to a fully coloured stage are generally considered to be at peak flavour.

There are many delicious ways to use roasted figs: sliced into green salads, as a bottom layer in apple pies, in fruit crumbles, tarts and more.

Dear Helen: I've become intrigued by figs. They seem such an exotic and mysterious fruit for home gardens, but then I'm from the prairies.

Some plants are fairly easy to rejuvenate, but here are options once it is clear that a plant is not doing well in its growing conditions.