OCTOBER
General planting
At this time of the season many plot holders tend to take a well earned rest and just get everything cleared and prepared for the coming season. On the other hand, with the soil still warm there is nothing to stop you planting a wide variety of winter greens including lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc providing you keep everything covered against the pigeons.
Dahlias
Dahlias need to be lifted as soon as the first frost takes the foliage. If you can lift the tubers in dry conditions then try to shake off as much soil as possible without breaking the tubers. They can then be stored in frost free conditions to dry off before putting them into large pots further protecting them with a loose dry compost. They will remain dormant in frost free conditions until the spring when they will need a light watering as they start back into life as the weather warms up.
Garlic
October is the ideal time for planting this crop which is very easy to grow. It is a virtually trouble free vegetable and a few planted now will keep you in garlic for a season.
Ideally garlic requires a sunny site and a rich moist soil. Split individual cloves from the main bulb, then set them about 5cm deep to the base of the clove; setting them about 10cm apart in all directions. Check they are the right way up but rather than press them into the soil make a small hole so that the root forming base is not damaged. At this time of year there is nothing to do but watch out for the tips to start to show and keep the area weed free. In the spring make sure the plants are kept moist. Lift the whole plant for harvesting as the tops go brown in late July / August. The whole plant can be hung in a shed and allowed to dry where they will keep well for months.
At this time of the season many plot holders tend to take a well earned rest and just get everything cleared and prepared for the coming season. On the other hand, with the soil still warm there is nothing to stop you planting a wide variety of winter greens including lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc providing you keep everything covered against the pigeons.
Dahlias
Dahlias need to be lifted as soon as the first frost takes the foliage. If you can lift the tubers in dry conditions then try to shake off as much soil as possible without breaking the tubers. They can then be stored in frost free conditions to dry off before putting them into large pots further protecting them with a loose dry compost. They will remain dormant in frost free conditions until the spring when they will need a light watering as they start back into life as the weather warms up.
Garlic
October is the ideal time for planting this crop which is very easy to grow. It is a virtually trouble free vegetable and a few planted now will keep you in garlic for a season.
Ideally garlic requires a sunny site and a rich moist soil. Split individual cloves from the main bulb, then set them about 5cm deep to the base of the clove; setting them about 10cm apart in all directions. Check they are the right way up but rather than press them into the soil make a small hole so that the root forming base is not damaged. At this time of year there is nothing to do but watch out for the tips to start to show and keep the area weed free. In the spring make sure the plants are kept moist. Lift the whole plant for harvesting as the tops go brown in late July / August. The whole plant can be hung in a shed and allowed to dry where they will keep well for months.