The change in season is very apparent on the plot this month, with many beds appearing to lie dormant, many crops are beginning to come to an end and the colourful displays starting to fade.
October is when we must begin work on the asparagus beds. We will be cutting down the stalks that have left over the summer as the plant has now had time to regenerate after a busy season. Also, this prevents any damage to the crown from the winter winds.
It is also the month when we will start pruning and tying in our blackberries canes, to provide a strong support for next year’s fruit. All essential maintenance jobs.
In keeping with the month, our amazing pumpkins and squashes are now being sold in the plant shop, main shop and restaurant in an array of shapes and sizes. This delicious ingredient ideal as part of an autumnal meal, as well as great for carving at Halloween.
Pruning
Blackberries– Now that the fruits have finished we must prune out the old fruited stems and tie in this year’s growth for next year.
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.
Leeks– We have started harvesting our leeks for the restaurant and plant shop. Varieties include ‘Porbella’- a variety that is said to have a good resistance to rust.
Sweet Potatoes– We will harvest from our unusual beds this month. It will be interesting to discover how many tubers are hidden under the surface. This year’s long hot summer should have worked in our favour.
Parsnips– It is now time to harvest our direct sown parsnips. We have grown ‘F1 Gladiator’ this year, and they certainly seem to live up to their name.
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.
