Cottonmill and Nunnery Allotment Association

Sowing & planting
November's a good time to sow early broad beans such as Aquadulce. Onions and garlic are also on sale now for planting until November. Plant named varieties of garlic, rather than left over cloves from the supermarket to avoid the risk of introducing disease and ensure you're growing a variety suited to the UK. Note: garlic can also be planted in early spring, but it usually gives much better yields if it goes through a cold period over the winter.

Harvesting
The main harvesting season is coming to an end but you could still be picking artichokes, French and runner beans, beetroot, leaf beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, calabrese, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chicory, courgettes, cucumbers, endive, fennel, kale, leeks, lettuce, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, radish, rocket, spinach, spring onions, squash, sweetcorn, tomatoes and turnip.
 
Fruit
You'll still be picking autumn raspberries and if you have fruit trees you might also be picking apples and pears. But don't be tempted to pick apples and pears too early. Prune blackcurrants any time between now and late winter. Aim to remove about 1/3 of the bush each year. Cut back low down to encourage new shoots from the base of the plants. Complete pruning and tying-in of summer-fruiting gooseberries.

Greenhouse
October is the most popular month to clear summer plants out of the greenhouse and give it a good clean. Many experts recommend using a dilute disinfectant, Jeyes fluid or similar, as this will kill any viruses, fungal spores or other nasties which may be lurking around and waiting for next years plants.

Other jobs
Cut down brown asparagus fern and remove debris from around the crowns to discourage overwintering asparagus beetle. After cutting down, give the plants a generous mulch of well rotted compost.
Protect squashes to be harvested in October from rotting by placing a board or tile underneath to keep it off the soil. Expose the fruits to the sun for maximum ripening by pulling back or removing leaves that are shading them. Keep a watch out for frost, which will damage the fruit. After harvesting, they should be stored in a cool, dry place.


Must do jobs for the Autumn

• Sow broad beans, onions and garlic
• Prune blackcurrant bushes
• Clear out and clean your greenhouse