October

Closing Greenhouse Doors in October: The Simple Trick to Optimise Warmth

October marks the onset of chillier afternoons. You might be wondering why you should start closing your greenhouse doors in the early afternoon. The reason is straightforward: it's all about trapping that precious heat. 

As the sun begins to dip, so does the temperature, and your tender plants inside the greenhouse will start to feel it. By closing the doors early, you capture the daytime warmth, giving your plants a cosy environment to sit in as the evening chill sets in. It’s akin to tucking your plants into bed with a warm blanket, ensuring they wake up the next morning ready for another day of fruitful growth. So, before you head inside for your own cup of tea and comfy blanket, give your plants the warmth they deserve. 

Adding Well-Rotted Manure to Empty Beds: The Secret to Fertile Soil for Next Season

October and November offer a calm after the storm of summer harvests, leaving you with empty vegetable beds that might look a bit forlorn. But empty doesn't have to mean unproductive. This is the perfect time to add well-rotted manure to those vacant plots. Why, you ask? Well-rotted manure is a nutrient powerhouse, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—essential elements for plant growth. By adding it to your soil now, you're giving these nutrients time to integrate with the existing soil structure. Come spring, your garden will be the equivalent of an athlete on a well-balanced diet, ready to sprint into the growing season. Furthermore, well-rotted manure improves soil texture, making it easier for roots to penetrate and for water to drain. So before you close the gardening chapter for this year, give your future crops the gift of fertile soil. 

Harvesting Squash and Pumpkin Before the First Frost: The Art of Timing, Cutting, and Curing

As autumn colours paint the landscape, there's one more task that beckons—the harvesting of squash and pumpkin. Timing is of the essence here, as these gourds should be picked before the first frost sets in. Frost can damage the skin, making them susceptible to rot. When it comes to the actual harvesting, cut the stem about 5-10cm (2-4 inches) from the fruit, leaving a small T shaped 'handle' that aids in curing and storage. Speaking of which, curing is the next crucial step. Place your harvested squash and pumpkin in a sunny spot for about a week to toughen up the skin. After that, store them in a cool, dry place, ideally at temperatures between 10-15°C (50-60°F). Properly cured and stored, these autumnal treasures can last several months, gracing  winter meals with their vibrant colours and flavours. 

Saving Beans: A Two-in-One Benefit for Winter Meals and Next Year's Crop

Harvest season offers not just immediate yields but also the promise of future crops, especially when it comes to runner beans and French beans. Once the pods have matured and become dry and brittle, it's time to harvest them for seed-saving. Carefully pluck the pods from the plant and split them open to reveal the seeds inside. Lay these seeds on a paper towel in a well-ventilated area for about a week to ensure they are completely dry. Once dried, store them in a labelled envelope or airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dry place until it's time to sow them next year. 

But that's not all; the mature, dried beans can also be a winter pantry staple. These saved beans can be rehydrated and used in a variety of winter dishes like soups and stews, providing a hearty, homegrown element to your meals. By saving your own beans, you're not just preparing for next year's gardening season; you're also adding a personal touch to your winter comfort foods. 

Starting Autumn Peas: The Biodegradable Approach to Hardy Varieties

October's chill might signal the end for many garden plants, but for peas like 'Douce Provence' and 'Meteor', it's merely the beginning. These varieties are hardy enough to get a start in the cooler temperatures of autumn. A unique and eco-friendly way to sow these peas is in biodegradable toilet roll tubes. Fill the tubes with compost and sow 2-3 seeds per tube, covering lightly with more compost. The tubes not only serve as mini planters but also decompose naturally when planted directly into the ground, causing minimal root disturbance.

While these pea varieties are robust, they are not invincible, especially when it comes to garden foes like mice and birds. To protect your fledgling plants, cover them with a layer of chicken wire or mesh. This will allow light and rain to reach the plants but will keep curious critters at bay. By starting these peas in October, you're setting the stage for an early spring harvest, adding another chapter to your garden's year-round productivity. 

Using Cloches to Extend the Season: Prolonging Homegrown Harvests

As the weather turns increasingly unpredictable, many gardeners start to fret over the well-being of their remaining crops. However, with the use of cloches, you can extend the growing season well beyond the first frost and even into winter. These protective covers create a microclimate around your plants, shielding them from harsh winds and plummeting temperatures. To use, simply place the cloche over individual plants or rows, and secure them to the ground to prevent them from blowing away. 

The benefit of using cloches is twofold. Firstly, they offer a protective barrier that increases the longevity of your plants, allowing you to harvest vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and even some herbs far later into the season than would otherwise be possible. Secondly, it means that you'll enjoy a prolonged supply of homegrown produce, reducing the need to buy store-bought vegetables. The joy of picking fresh veggies from your garden doesn't have to end when the leaves fall; with cloches, you can savour the fruits of your labour for even longer. 

Planting Asparagus Crowns in October: Laying the Foundations for Years of Harvests

For those with a penchant for asparagus, October presents a golden opportunity. This is the ideal time to plant asparagus crowns, setting the stage for bountiful harvests for years to come. The reason is simple: planting in October allows the crowns to establish their root systems throughout the winter, giving them a strong start for vigorous growth in the spring. To plant, select a sunny, well-drained spot in your garden and dig trenches about 30cm (12 inches) wide and 20cm (8 inches) deep. Place the crowns in the trenches, spreading the roots out evenly, and cover them with a mixture of soil and well-rotted manure. Space the crowns about 40-50cm (16-20 inches) apart to give them room to grow.

By investing a bit of time and effort in October, you're ensuring a return of delicious, homegrown asparagus spears for many seasons. It's a long-term commitment, but one that pays off in flavour, freshness, and the satisfaction of eating something you've grown yourself. 

Storing Bamboo Canes and Hazel Poles: The Preventive Measure for Long-Term Use

As the gardening season winds down, you might be tempted to leave bamboo canes and hazel poles in the ground, waiting for next year's use. However, this could be a costly mistake. Left in the soil over winter, these supports can become a haven for pests and diseases, not to mention the risk of rot due to excess moisture. Instead, it's wise to remove them from the ground at the end of the season and store them in a dry place, such as the rafters of the greenhouse. 

By doing so, you accomplish several things. Firstly, you are reducing the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests that may lurk in the wood, waiting to attack next year's crops. Secondly, you are prolonging the life of these valuable garden aids. Dry storage prevents the wood from rotting, ensuring that you can use these supports for multiple seasons. It's a simple task, but one that saves both time and resources in the long run. 

Harvesting: The Timely Approach to Maximise Yield and Minimise Waste

October often brings a change in weather conditions, with increased rainfall and dampness setting in. While this may be good for some aspects of the garden, it poses a risk for ready-to-harvest crops like cauliflowers and romanescos. The wetter weather can cause these vegetables to rot right in the ground if they aren't harvested promptly. Therefore, it's crucial to keep an eye on your crops and pick them as they reach maturity. 

Once harvested, you have several options. You can preserve vegetables by methods like canning or pickling, ensuring you have homegrown produce to enjoy throughout the winter months. Alternatively, you can transform them into something delicious right away—a creamy cauliflower soup or a roasted romanesco dish, perhaps. By staying vigilant and harvesting your crops in a timely manner, you're not only preventing waste but also maximising the fruits of your labour for future enjoyment.