October usually marks the start of the cooler months. Frosts can happen later in the month so keep an eye on the weather. Your tender crops should be harvested by now leaving you with hardier crops such as brussels sprouts and leeks.
Add organic matter
October is a great time to add organic matter to your beds. This will replenish any nutrients lost over the growing season and will give your beds a head start next year. Don’t worry about any large clumps, as the worms and frost will break them up over the winter.
Leafmould
As the tree’s start to lose their leaves, gather them up and store them over the next 24 months to break down. Either store them in a cage or keep them in a couple of bags with holes in the bottom. To make a cage, make a square frame from chicken wire and support the corners with stakes. Leafmould produces an excellent soil conditioner and can be used as a mulch around the plot.
Prepare the greenhouse
Now is a good time to give your greenhouse a good clean. Give it a wash with warm water and a little detergent or Jeyes fluid. This will help kill off any pests and will allow more light to pass through during the winter months. If you want to grow crops in the greenhouse during the winter months, use some bubble wrap to help insulate it and help protect your crops.
What to sow and plant out
If you haven’t done so, plant out overwintering onion sets. Cover them with a cloche or fleece to help protect them until they get established.
You can also start planting out your garlic. This will allow the bulbs ample time to establish robust root systems before winter kicks in. Just like the onion sets, give them some protection until they have got established.