Month by Month Tips
October

This is the culmination of the growing year and traditionally the main month for harvesting and
celebrating the previous season There may be a slight chill in the air, but gardeners can begin to relax as both the growth of weeds and plants starts to slow up.
COMPETITION
If you think you have grown a particularly impressive fruit or vegetable, why not enter a
local or even national vegetable growing competition?
BUILD
Make or buy a compost bin. The simplest type of bin is made fronm nailing three pallets together to form the back and two sides
FRUIT HARVEST
This is the main harvesting season for apples and pears They should be stored in an airy, dark
room until they are required for eating or cooking
PROPAGATION
Take hardwood cuttings of gooseberries, currants, figs and grapevines between now and the end of February.
PROTECT FIGS
Figs may need protection with a fleece if in a cold, exposed area. Remove any fruitlets larger than the size of a pea as they won’t ripen the following year
HARVEST
Pumpkins and winter squashes should be ready for harvesting. They will store for longen if left out in the sun for a few days before being taken in to store
RIPENING
Dig up any remaining tomato plants and hang them upside down in a greenhouse to allow the fruit
to ripen. Ones that don’t ripen can be brought inside and left in a drawer to ripen with a banana.
SUPPORT
Earth up around the bases of Brussels sprouts to prevent the plants from being blown over.

Recent News