I have started to feel a little sad knowing that the growing season has started to come to an end. There are plenty of jobs that I can still do on the plot but these are not as exciting as growing new seeds and tending to plants. The harvests this year have been plenty and with the preparation for the soil and buildings on my plot, hopefully the harvests will be just as good next year.
I plan to try growing a few more giant vegetables next year after my success with my onions and cabbages this year, and in order for them to have the best possible start, soil preparation is the key. Looks like many more trips to manure mountain for me!
Jobs to do………in October
- Continue to check all crops that you have stored. One bad vegetable could ruin the whole crop.
- Clear away yellowing leaves from winter brassica plants. This helps to reduce white fly.
- Collect leaves this Autumn to make into leaf mould for next year.
- Start to dig over vacant areas of soil ready for the winter. You can add layers of manure, leaf mould or compost over the soil and leave it until the winter has passed, turning the soil over in Spring.
- Continue to add compostable waste to your compost heap. Keep it covered to keep the heat in and help the decomposing process
- Clean and store tools, pots and containers as these are not generally needed as much during the winter months.
- Place squashes and pumpkins in a warm place to toughen the skins ready for storing in a cool place.
- Ripen the last few remaining outdoor tomatoes by placing in a brown paper bag or hanging in the greenhouse alongside a ripe banana.
- Give the greenhouse a through clean and make any necessary repairs
- Take hardwood cuttings of currant and gooseberry bushes
- Harvest herbs and dry or freeze for winter use
What to sow………in October
- Cress
- Chinese cabbage
- Winter lettuce
- Broad Beans
- Radish
- Hardy peas (under cover)
What to plant………in October
- Rhubarb crowns
- Garlic
- Onions
- Spring cabbages sown last month
- Asparagus
Crops in season now
- Apples
- Aubergines
- Beetroot
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Early Brussel Sprouts
- Beetroot
- Cabbage Summer/Autumn
- Chinese Cabbage
- Calabrese
- Cauliflower (Autumn)
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chillies
- Fennel
- French Beans
- Garlic
- Kohl Rabi
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Marrow
- Onions
- Parsnip
- Peas (late)
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin and Squash
- Tomatoes
- Turnip
- Sweetcorn
Happy harvestin’
Debb
digginwivdebb 
Great tips, so useful for a beginner like me! *off to get some rhubarb, garlic and asparagus*
Thanks for your comment. It’s nice to be organised.
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