We also have a vegetable seed giveaway each day and a booklet of fun quizzes, games and activities for children to complete in the Vegetable Garden so the whole family can get involved.
The pace of harvesting is finally starting to ease after a busy summer, but there is still plenty to see in the vegetable garden. Our pumpkins and squashes are proving a popular attraction with visitors who look in awe of their size and variety
It is also time for us to start planning ahead for the new year. We have just sown the first of our winter salad crops that we will grow in the polytunnels over the cooler months.
Sowing
Winter Salads– We will begin to sow and plant out our oriental brassicas which will over winter in the polytunnels, providing fresh produce for the restaurant in the colder months.
Pruning
Summer raspberries– Now that the summer varieties have finished fruiting, we must prune out the old fruited stems and tie in this year’s growth for next year.
Strawberries– We will be removing and potting on any runners in our strawberry bed this month. In addition to cutting back the old spent leaves.
Harvesting
Winter Squash/ Pumpkins– We are growing a number of different pumpkins and squashes this year including the tall shaped ‘Early King’, pumpkin carving favourite ‘Racer’, the impressive ‘Atlantic Giant’, and blue skinned ‘Crown Prince’. Many are available to buy in the shop.
Dwarf French Beans/ Peas– We will be harvesting our second sowing of direct sown Dwarf French beans ‘Martini’ and Pea ‘Shiraz’ extending the growing season.
Produce in the Plant Shop
Fresh produce which is available to buy this month at the Plant Shop include : Raspberries, courgettes, squashes, pumpkins, garlic, tomatoes, aubergines. Why not pick up one of our make your own ‘Ripe Tomato Chutney’ packs or grow your own winter salad packs.
