September

General Maintenance

Autumn is the best time to do any major changes to the growing area, making raised beds etc.
This gives the soil time to settle over winter.
Clear autumn debris, and clean up around plants that will be over wintering.
Continue to build the compost heap.
Collect fallen leaves and pile into a wire container to make leaf-mould.
Dig heavy clay soils over before the rains make it even harder work.

Harvest main crop Potatoes leave on top of the soil to dry before storing in paper sacks. keep them in the dark and frost free.
Lift root vegetables like Carrots, Turnip and Beetroot and store in boxes of damp sand.
Dig out any remaining Onions, dry them off and store frost free.
Any remaining outdoor Tomatoes should be harvested before any frosts.
Green fruits can be ripened indoors.
Stake tall growing Brussels Sprouts against the wind in exposed areas.
Plant Japanese Onion sets and autumn sown Onions.
Transplant spring Cabbage plants. you may need to protect these from birds.
Sow hardy varieties of lettuce such as ‘Winter Density’ outside with cloche/frame protection.
sow early forcing types of Carrot in frames for spring use.

Harvest any remaining Blackberries and cut out the fruited canes. Tie in this years growth to the supports.
Prepare beds to receive new bare rooted plants in the coming months.
Check newly planted Strawberry plant are not short of water and are clear of any fallen leaves.
Fix grease bands to tree trunks to trap female winter moths before they can lay their eggs.
Prune out any mildew affected shoots on Apples and Pears.
Remove any fallen fruits that could harbor overwintering pests.

Clear plants as they finish cropping and add to the compost heap.
Plants will now require less water as the suns intensity lessens and the days get shorter.
Continue to ventilate the greenhouse whenever possible to get good air flow around the remaining plants.
Clear away any debris that has accumulated over the season as this is the perfect home for pests to live out the winter.