Brackenhurst Letters

Brackenhurst · heavy clay

October in the garden

Tick jobs off as you go. Ticks stay in this browser; add a sowing to keep a dated label in your account.

Weeks 1 and 2 1 to 14 Oct

  • Germidour or Solent Wight, pointed end up, 15 cm apart and 2 cm under.Note it in your notebook
  • Aquadulce Claudia, on a ridge if your clay sits wet.Note it in your notebook
  • Five seeds to a deep pot; pinch out at three pairs of leaves.Note it in your notebook
  • Once they turn yellow, to 3 cm, and mulch the bed.

Weeks 3 and 4 15 to 31 Oct

  • Stand them upside down in the shed for a week, then box in dry compost.
  • Wet them if they're dry. Two years and it's the best mulch you'll have.
  • Three times their own depth. November is fine too.Note it in your notebook
  • Wire brush, then linseed oil on the handles.

Coming in November

Bare-root roses and fruit trees go in, the greenhouse gets washed down, and the last carrots come up before the slugs find them. It's all in the next letter, out Sunday 1 November.

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Your plant labels

Garlic GermidourRaised bed Bed 3, 15 cm apartSown 24 Oct

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