October Garden Checklist: 10 Must-Do Tasks for Autumn Bliss 🍂

Ah, October—the time when the garden shifts gears, the leaves fall, and we prepare for winter’s arrival. It’s time to tackle a few essential tasks in the garden. So let’s roll up our sleeves and dig in, shall we?

Protect Your Greens 🥬

Winter salads and Asian greens like tatsoi start to slow down as temperatures drop. Extend their growing season with simple solutions like fleece row covers or miniature polythene tunnels. Making one is as easy as setting up bamboo canes at the corners and arching some blue alkathene water pipe over the top. These covers will also keep your soil dry during the rainy season.

Tip: It’s a good idea to occasionally lift the sides of your tunnel or row covers to let in some fresh air. Stagnant air can promote mold and disease, and that’s a no-go in any garden.

Harvest Your Squash and Pumpkins 🎃

It’s finally time to bring home your winter squash and pumpkins. For maximum storage longevity, cure these fruits by placing them in a warm, ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. Properly cured, they can last up to 6 months!

Fun Fact: A greenhouse bench makes an ideal space for curing your gourds.

Ripening Green Tomatoes 🍅

As the temperatures drop, it’s essential to understand when to harvest those last green tomatoes. Keep in mind that temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F) are ideal for ripening. Gather your late-season tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.

Quick Tip: For stubbornly green tomatoes, place them in a bag with a banana. The ethylene gas from the fruit will speed up the ripening process.

Enjoying Your Harvest 🍴

Unripe tomatoes? No worries. Green tomato recipes like fried green tomatoes or green tomato chutney are an excellent way to utilize them. And as for root crops like carrots, if you’re expecting prolonged frost, consider digging them up and storing them in damp potting mix.

Storing Late Season Apples and Pears 🍎

Late-season apple and pear varieties are often best for long-term storage. Wrap your fresh, blemish-free fruits individually in newspaper and place them in breathable boxes for winter.

Prepping for Garlic Season 🌰

Garlic is a fantastic crop that deserves your attention. Whether you prefer hard neck or soft neck varieties, now is the time to place your orders before they sell out. Hard necks are hardier and have larger cloves, while soft necks store well and offer more, albeit smaller, cloves.

Leaf Management 🍂

Autumn leaves are a goldmine for your garden. You can either leave them to decompose naturally or gather them to make leaf mold—a fantastic soil conditioner. Create a leaf cage to hold them in place or use black bags for smaller spaces.

Ready Your Compost 🌱

With so much organic matter coming off your garden, it might be time to extend your compost setup. A simple three-pallet bay held together with thick gauge wire can be just as effective as any fancy compost bin.

So there we have it! Your October garden is all set to thrive and prepare for the colder months ahead. Keep on gardening, and until next time, happy growing! 🌱

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