TOP JOBS

ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR YOUR VEG PATCH AND PROTECTED CROPS

- BEN VANHEEMS

STAKE BRUSSELS SPROUTS If your Brussels sprouts are leaning precariously to one side, tie them to sturdy upright stakes. Alternatively, earth up around the stems to offer extra support at ground level.

PLANT STRAWBERRIES

This is your last chance to plant strawberries. Get them in as soon as possible to give plants more time to establish, boosting chances of a good crop next year.

POSITION CLOCHES

Cover late salads and oriental leaves with horticultural fleece, cloches or miniature tunnels to extend the season and the amount you can pick.

CLEAR OLD CROPS

Lift up and clear away spent crops to the compost heap. Cut up or shred tough or thick stems such as sweetcorn to speed up their decomposition.

CURE SQUASHES

October gives us the first real taste of autumn, and with it a celebration of that most hearty family of vegetables, the squashes. Courgettes are nearly done for the season, so why not leave a few to grow into full-sized marrows? They’re fantastic stuffed – split lengthways and hollowed out into boats for your favourite filling, or as scooped-out slices. Eat them up within a few weeks of cutting.

Winter squashes and pumpkins will store for months so long as they are cured after harvesting. Cut them off with at least 10cm (4in) of stem and bring fruits indoors if anything but a light frost threatens. Never carry fruits by the stem because if it snaps off, you’re inviting disease.