October

October

In the greenhouse

• Check greenhouse heaters are in working order
• Water crops in pots and grow bags more sparingly, but continue to give a weekly feed
• Look out for pests and treat any that you find
• Ventilate on warm days, but close vents and doors every evening to trap heat

Tip: Let there be light

As we move into the autumn and the weather gets cooler and the days more dull, reduce or remove greenhouse shading to let as much light in as possible. Wash off shading paint or remove shade netting, then wash the glass inside and out to maximise light levels.

Fruit and vegetables

• Cover productive herbs, such as basil and parsley, with cloches, or bring potted ones under cover
• Continue to harvest pears, apples, plums, autumn raspberries and other fruits
• Stake tall Brussels sprouts to provide support and to stop them blowing over
• Cut off full trusses of outdoor tomatoes before there’re hit by frost, lay them on greenhouse staging to ripen under cover
• Wrap grease bands around the trunks of trees to trap the crawling female winter moth
• Save money on bean seeds by collecting seeds from your favourite plants. Leave a few pods to swell and ripen before picking, allow these to dry, remove the seeds, then store in a cool, dry place
• Plant out spring cabbages