Growing THE GOOD LIFE

It's autumn and Sara Ward is still enjoying plenty of bounty, while tackling vital jobs around the allotment, preparing for next year

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October is the golden month, with autumn leaves falling like confetti, pumpkins curing on the vine, and the last of the orchard fruits ready to be picked and cherished.

Towards the end of the month, a celebratory basket of winter squash – think 'Turk's Turban' or the majestic blue 'Crown Prince' - can be brought inside as a beautiful home decoration, ready to plunder for warming soups, creamy risottos or even more chutney.

As the evenings start to draw in, I make the most of the afternoon sun and spend an hour or so here and there getting the garden ready for winter. Empty beds at the allotment can be cleared and covered with cardboard to suppress weeds, and compost bins can be piled high to slowly break down over the coming months.

I also like to take a break from the plot at this time of year to visit open gardens around the country, checking out their food-growing spaces and making notes of any good ideas that I can replicate at home.

All clear