October Tasks in the Garden and Vegetable Patch: Complete List of Harvesting Tasks
October is an important month for gardeners and farmers, as it is the time for active harvesting, laying the foundation for future crops, and preparing plants for winter.
This is reported by AgroReview
Main October Tasks: Harvesting and Planting Winter Vegetables
In October, the harvesting of late crops continues, such as cabbage, pumpkins, sea buckthorn, rowan, apples, pears, nuts, and grapes. By the end of the month, it’s time to harvest quinces.
In the first half of October, winter garlic is planted. From the middle of the month, gardeners sow carrots, spinach, radishes, celery, leeks, and parsley. To reliably protect the crops from the cold, it is recommended to cover the seeds with a mixture of soil and compost.
Care for Trees, Shrubs, and Preparing Soil for Winter
October is the ideal time for pruning fruit trees and shrubs. The reduced growth activity of plants allows for safe pruning of raspberries, currants, gooseberries, and actinidia. Timely pruning will help heal wounds before the frost sets in.
In the fall, it is advisable to remove all prunings from trees and shrubs from the area to prevent the spread of pests in the bark. The soil should be turned over to combat weeds and mulched to retain moisture and improve structure.
After harvesting, it is beneficial to sow green manure—plants that enhance fertility, improve soil structure, and protect it from pests. In spring, green manure is mowed and used as organic fertilizer.
“October is a favorable time for planting fruit trees and berry bushes. Before the frost, they will have time to take root and develop a strong root system. They will yield their first harvest in spring. At this time, you can plant raspberries, currants, gooseberries, apple trees, walnuts, and plums.”
October is a favorable month for planting fruit trees and berry bushes, as they have time to establish themselves before the frost arrives. Specifically, it is worth planting raspberries, currants, gooseberries, apple trees, walnuts, and plums.
During this period, leaves are actively falling. They can be used to make compost or as natural cover for garden beds.
October is also suitable for planting flowers: at the beginning of the month, tulips, daisies, forget-me-nots, irises, lupines, and periwinkles are planted to ensure they take root. In the middle of the month, it is possible to plant roses, and closer to November—lilies of the valley and peonies.