October 2021
Sowing, Planting & Preparation

01 - 07 October

We began clearing a few beds this week. On plot 42 the 2021 broad bean bed had previously been dug over. It was covered with weed control fabric. The ground was dry but in good condition when it was covered.

On plot 29 the 2021 potato bed was covered with weed control fabric. The ground had been dug over when the potatoes were cleared but needed breaking down over winter.

08 - 14 October

Began digging over the small beds on plot 29. This year’s onion bed was dug over first. The soil was in excellent condition and will be covered over with weed control fabric ready for planting up next spring. This bed will be for potatoes next year.

Plot 29
The bed next to it had been cleared a few weeks before of its crop of peas but the ground had been too dry to dig over. Although some recent rain had softened up the ground it was still on the dry side and didn’t break down that well when dug over. The intention is to leave this bed uncovered for winter rain and frost to break down the soil. This will be our onion bed next year.
Plot 29

15 - 21 October

Friday, 15 October 2021

Cleared away remaining cabbages and brassica roots from early brassica bed on plot 42. the ground dug over reasonably well and should be okay for planting up next spring with minimal preparation. My intention is to cover this bed with weed control fabric.

Plot 42

Also began digging over the bed on plot 30 that had been planted up with squashes. It needs digging over to the full depth of a fork. It’s hard going and will need a few days work to get it dug over. the ground will need to be left over winter to break up.

Plot 30

 

Saturday 16 October 2021

Covered beds that had already been hand-dug over with weed control fabric.

2021 brassica bed dug and covered with weed control fabric on plot 42
2021 onion bed dug and covered with weed control fabric on plot 29

All the cane supports for runner beans were taken down and stored in the greenhouse for winter. The old haulms were removed to the compost heap. All the remaining squash and courgette plants were pulled up and removed to the compost heap.

Runner beans and squashes cleared from plot 28/29
Runner beans and squashes cleared from plot 41

All the old raspberry canes were cut out and the new canes tied in.

Old raspberry canes cut out and new canes tied in on plot 30

22 - 31 October

Saturday, 23 October 2021

Sue pruned our Loch Ness blackberry cutting out all the old canes.

Blackberry – Loch Ness

Three beds on plot 41 were cleared of weeds and the grass paths strimmed.

Beds on plot 41 tidied up

The edges of the bed were tidied up. The soil was in good condition and I decided the beds would be okay for next year without being dug over this autumn. At the moment the beds are going to be left uncovered.

The overwintering garlic and onion bed was given a quick hoe to slow down any weeds that were growing.

Winter onions and garlic