HARVESTING

Continue harvesting brassicas, but ‘earth-up’ those that will be buffeted by the winds and storms over the winter.

Tie Brussels sprouts and sprouting broccoli to canes and apply mulch.

Leeks – gently lift with a fork.  If crops are small, harvest every second or third leek so the rest will keep growing; they can remain in the ground until they are needed.

Carrots and parsnips are much better left in the ground and dug up fresh when you want them, as the soil keeps them in much better condition. However, if it’s a very wet autumn, they’ll rot once conditions turn cold in which case, dig up and store by mid-November.

RESTING THE GROUND

Once the veg patch is cleared, carry out winter digging if necessary….. or learn about the ‘no-dig’ method. If however, you are going to cover empty beds with manure for the winter, the earlier you do it the better. October or early November is ideal.

SOW

As per last month, you can sow broad beans outside now for an early crop next spring, but it's important to use over-wintering varieties such as "Aquadulce".

Plant selected varieties of garlic; they benefit from a good frost so it's traditional to plant before Christmas. Planted now, they’ll take root and grow gently through the winter, to give a much bigger, better and earlier garlic harvest.

Plant fruit trees now if the soil is manageable.

FRUIT

Take hardwood cuttings from soft fruit bushes, including Gooseberries, black, red and white currants. 

Start winter pruning with apple trees; you are aiming for a goblet-shaped open tree. Prune any crossed and damaged branches, and those that are growing in towards the centre of the tree. The key is to improve circulation of air around the tree. Don't over prune as this will mean much leafy growth next year and little fruit.

Plant summer-fruiting raspberry canes, and mulch raspberries, loganberry, and tayberry plants if you haven't already done so.

Check stored fruit regularly and discard any with signs of rot to prevent disease spreading.

Divide up your rhubarb if you want to propagate and cover it with a thick mulch of manure.