It’s the month of weeding and clearing. Time to tidy up. To rake any fallen leaves. Take down remaining summer structures, collect any dried beans. To pack away the sticks.
Winter is coming. Not long now. There may be frosts this month depending on where you grow. There should still, though, be enough warmth in the soil for planting bare-root fruit trees and bushes. Compost or manure will help.
Prune pear and apple trees, tie grease bands around the trunk to protect against climbing winter moth. Remember to check on any fruit already stored (we lost our box of pears last year from not paying enough attention).
Add compost or manure to the plot. Dig in or spread according to your preference. We will probably do a mixture of both. Twenty-five sacks will be arriving any moment, our share of the overall allotments order. My dad was a digger, chicken manure mostly, from his birds. I feel connected to him when I do it.
Plant overwintering broad beans to get ahead. Perhaps some cloves of garlic, too. Split rhubarb crowns or plant new.
It is the time to take proper care of your garden tools; clean and sharpen blades. To sort through any seed you have saved (ours: the usual calendula, nasturtium, with African marigolds and orange cosmos). Check dates on any older packets, too. Be ruthless if you can. Think about ordering fresh supplies.
Clear and sweep through the shed if you have use of one. Clean out any bird boxes. Check the pond, try to remember to float a smallish ball to help protect against freezing. The frogs will thank you. Leave water and food out for friendly wildlife.
Finally, perhaps take a moment of silent thanks for what the season brought you.
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