Pruning and Planting
- Prune raspberry and tayberry canes that have finished fruiting and tie new canes into position.
- Finish summer pruning of over-vigorous apples and pears, shortening long whippy shoots.
- Plant new fruit trees and bushes, and control weeds around them.
- Plant out new strawberry runners and prepare for planting other fruits later in autumn.
Sowing and Growing
- Sow Swiss chard, Oriental vegetables, lettuce, and spring cabbage.
- Sow vegetables to over-winter, such as lettuce, chard, and spring onions.
- Water and feed vegetables regularly to encourage growth.
Harvesting and Storage
- Use vegetables before they go over – consider freezing them or giving surplus vegetables away before they become over-mature.
- Watch sweet corn, parsnips, potatoes, and swede turnips for harvesting.
- When lifting potatoes, remove all small potatoes to prevent disease-carrying “ground-keepers.”
Weeding and Soil Preparation
- Do not let weeds go to seed – especially chickweed – to avoid future trouble.
- After a spell of dry weather, dig over vegetable ground or use a no-dig technique by layering well-rotted garden compost on the surface.
- Control weeds over areas of ground that will be dug over later using hoes, old carpet, or suitable weedkillers.
- Get rid of old crops when they are finished and prevent weeds from going to seed.
- Control all weeds and dig the soil deeply, ensuring a sunny site with deep, well-drained soil.
By following these tips for fruit, vegetable, and herb care, you can maintain a productive and healthy garden. Proper pruning, planting, sowing, growing, harvesting, storage, weeding, and soil preparation are essential for a thriving garden throughout the season.
