October Tasks for the Vegetable Gardenersubmitted on 10 October 2013
October is still a time for reaping the rewards of your work earlier in the year, but also to prepare for next year. It is a good time to dig over any empty areas of your vegetable plot, after removing any plant debris, so that you will benefit from winter frosts breaking down your soil, and is also the ideal time to dig-in some well-rotted manure, if you can find a supplier. You can also prepare the ground for any new fruit trees or bushes you are intending to plant.
Other tasks that might apply to you this month are:-
Harvest potatoes, carrots, onions and beetroot and pick any beans you have left. However you should leave parsnips in the ground until they have been frosted.
When removing old pea and bean plants, don't dig up the roots as they are a source of nitrogen and act as a natural fertiliser. Just cut the plants off at ground level and dig in the roots.
Pick squashes and pumpkins, leaving them in a dry, sunny spot to allow their skins to harden, before storing them. Well-ripened pumpkins can keep for 12 months or so if kept in a cool, airy location..
Remove tomato leaves where they are shading unripe fruit. If you have any outdoor tomato plants, hang them upside-down in the greenhouse to let the fruit ripen. Alternatively you could try putting any unripe tomatoes in a box or drawer with a banana, which seems to help them to ripen. Or you could do like me and just use any green tomatoes for chutney - well worth the effort!
Pick and store herbs.
Earth up celery and protect it from frost with fleece or straw if necessary.
Protect cauliflower heads from frost, either by wrapping the outer leaves around them and securing with string or by using fleece or a cloche.
Sow over-wintering broad beans in situ if you live in a mild area. In colder areas you will need to cover them with cloches or fleece for protection. Also in mild areas you can sow peas and carrots in a cold frame.
Plant onion sets and garlic cloves for over-wintering to provide an early crop next year.
There is still time to plant out spring cabbage, remembering to put in place pigeon protection.
October and November are the time to be planting rhubarb sets.
If you grow asparagus, now is the time to cut back the foliage if not already done last month, and it is a good time to prepare new asparagus beds ready for next spring.
Remove dead and yellowing leaves from winter brassicas, as this helps to remove whitefly and reduces hiding places for slugs to lurk. Leaves can be composted.
If you have apples stored, check them regularly and remove any rotting fruit.
Along with doing all these jobs, make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the autumn colours in your garden.
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