Assignments for October employment opportunities
Get Your Allotment in Shape for Winter!
Hey, gardeners! The weather's chillin', but your allotment ain't catchin' a break just yet. October's got plenty of duties on your plate, from cropping out late veggies to planning next year's planting and soil improvements. Let's get to it!
What's Poppin' in October?
Here's a rundown of the October allotment to-do list.
Harvest Time!
It's time to reap what you sowed! Snatch the last of those runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, and maincrop potatoes.
Seed Sowin' and Plantin'
Get busy sowing! Here's what you can plant:
- Catch up with Monty's video guide on sowing 'Aquadulce', a hardy broad bean variety, now.
- Rhubarb crowns can also be planted. You can even watch Monty dividing a rhubarb plant for some good vibes.
- Don't forget to stake Brussels sprouts to keep them upright in heavy winds.
Soil Time!
While your plot's relatively vacant, treat it right!
- Sow some green manure or spread a 5cm layer of well-rotted manure. Worms will take it from there, working it into the soil as winter approaches.
- Make the most of the downtime by clearing spent crops and debris, turning over the soil for aeration, and adding organic matter to enrich soil fertility.
- If you got the space, consider sowing green manures to fix nitrogen and enhance soil structure.
Fruity Picking
October's a bountiful month for fruit lovers, too! Pick your share of apples, pears, plums, quinces, raspberries, blackberries, figs, and grapes.
Plan Ahead for Winter
Your October to-do list ain't just about this month. Check out these November and December suggestions:
- Sow hardy annual flowers like pot marigold and love-in-a-mist for biodiversity and beauty.
- Sow autumn broad beans for an early crop next year.
- Direct sow radishes and turnips in warm soil conditions.
- Plant onion sets for overwintering crops.
Keep on truckin' with those allotment tasks, and stay one step ahead as winter approaches! 🌱🌽🥕❄️🎉
Harvesting late vegetables such as runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins, squash, and maincrop potatoes is still on the agenda in October, but it's also the perfect time to prepare for next year's gardening. Sow a hardy broad bean variety like 'Aquadulce' or plant rhubarb crowns, and don't forget to stake Brussels sprouts. Moreover, utilize the downtime from clearing spent crops and debris to sow green manure or spread well-rotted manure, and enrich the soil fertility by turning over the soil and adding organic matter.
