Things are generally winding down but there is just enough daylight to clear and tidy up the allotment of any old crops in preparation for next year. Don’t leave the remains of summer crops to rot and harbour overwintering pests and diseases. Wait for a clear, crisp, sunny day and go for it. You might feel worn out, but you’ll be a lot better at the end of the exercise! Now is the time to feed soil life for the year ahead as space becomes clear after clearing weeds.
Vegetables:
• Start to harvest winter cabbage, Brussels sprouts, leeks and parsnips, wait until after a frost for the parsnips because the chilling effect turns the starches into sugars, and this gives them their natural sweetness.
• Pick the Brussels sprouts working from the bottom of the stalk upwards to make sure that all the sprouts get a chance to swell. At the same time snap off any yellowing leaves at their base to ensure that there is good air circulation around the plants. It also makes the sprouts easier to pick on cold, wet and frosty days, brrrr!
• Clear the ground of any remaining vulnerable crops such as celeriac, carrots, Florence fennel and put them into store before any hard frosts are forecast.
Fruit:
• Now is a good time to plant new fruit trees and bushes. Soft fruit bushes can also be moved now if needed as well.
• Autumn-fruiting raspberries bear fruit on new wood, so cut down all of the old canes to the ground once they have finished fruiting, between November and March.
• Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes. It is very easy to do, and will give you a decent-sized plant in a few years.
In other news we have our next working party on 16th November 9 to 11, please come and help keep the site safe.
Reminders….please leave tough woody plant waste up by the bonfire, not on it but on the ‘waiting’ space.
Please clear your things from the polytunnel if they’re finished.
Please use up the woodchip, free, and manure, £1 a barrow, so we can sort the spaces before getting new deliveries.
Thanks everyone.
Lucinda