In warmer climates figs produce two crops a year but in the UK only one.

So to make sure all the energy is put into producing one good crop you need to remove any larger figs that have formed this year but have failed to ripen fully.

Leave any small pea-sized figs that have formed as these are the ones that you will be harvesting next summer.

Ideally figs like being positioned against a sunny wall in well drained soil.

Brown Turkey and Dalmatie are fairly hardy and shouldn’t need protection through the winter months, but to be sure you can wrap bare branches in several layers of horticultural fleece.

This should keep your precious crop safe until spring or until after the risk of frost has passed. Figs can reach a height and spread of 2m x 3m so remember to allow for that when planting.

Chilli Butternut squash soup with crème fraiche, serves 4:

Its soup time of year and with a glut of squashes this quick and easy recipe is a weekly staple in my house.

Roasting the squash intensifies the flavour:

Cut a 1kg squash into large cubes, toss in 1 tbsp olive oil and roast for 30 mins turning once until soft and golden in colour. Meanwhile melt 1tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan and add 2 diced onions, 1 sliced clove of garlic and 1 mild red chilli, deseeded and chopped finely.

Cover and cook on low for 15 mins until soft.

Add the roasted squash, 850ml hot veg stock and 4 tbsps crème fraiche and whizz with a stick blender until smooth. Return to pan and season as required.

Christmas delights:

You still have time to be greeted by the beautiful scent of Narcissus paper white daffodils on Christmas Day. Buy bulbs that are for growing indoors and plant several in a pot of multi purpose compost or bulb fibre, with their tips just below the surface, water well and position on a sunny warm windowsill. Support plants with some twigs as they emerge.