We had a very successful autumn show in conjunction with the harvest festival at The Five Bells.
Entries were a little down on the usual for an autumn show and I am sure that this was due to the summer drought and heatwaves. However the exhibits were of a very high standard and it was gratifying to see more entries in the handicrafts and flower arranging classes. The harvest festival brought in many new visitors and let’s hope that they will remain interested and supportive in the future.
As a society we do need more young and active members and I would encourage anyone interested to come to our AGM which is on the 22nd of October at 6.30pm in the Reading Room on The Green.
Now to horticultural matters. My rather gloomy predictions in last month’s article of continuing drought and heatwaves has been proved false. However due to the El Niño effect we are promised a warm and very wet autumn followed by a cold spell in the New Year. So let’s get busy!
The grass has turned green and grown after the recent rains. Where possible it might be a good idea to give it a trim and leave the cuttings to rot down in the autumn rains and thus provide fertiliser for growth in the spring.
Tidy up around shrubs and remove dead wood and generally shape. Place a good covering of mulch and garden compost around the base and perhaps plant a few daffodil bulbs for the spring.
Finish picking apples, pears and quinces and again clear around the base and add a thick layer of mulch and compost. Delay pruning until all the leaves have fallen and the tree is full quiescent in January and February. Don’t forget to put grease bands in place especially on apples and pears. The idea is to reduce the number of flightless winter moth caterpillars climbing the tree to lay their eggs.
Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, narcissi , crocus, hyacinth and tulip. Inside a few hyacinth bulbs in a pot if given warm and light should be in flower around New Year.
Begin clearing the greenhouse and poly tunnel. Green tomatoes can be brought inside and allowed to ripen in a cool light place perhaps with the aid of a rotten banana.
It has been a bumper year for chillies which will continue to ripen well into the autumn. Save seed from your favourite varieties since chillies are largely self fertile they will breed true. The reminder can be dried , frozen or made into jellies and oils.
Keep checking brassicas for caterpillars and pigeon damage.
Parsnips are better after the first frost as this enhances the sweetness. Most varieties of main crop carrots need to lifted and stored. The exception is a variety called Eskimo which is cold tolerant and can be left in the ground with minimal protection and is highly recommended.
Now is the time to start overwintering onions, shallots and garlic. I start them off in small pots or modules undercover and plant them out when a decent amount of green shoots have appeared. For onions try autumn champion and Senshyu . For shallots Jermor and for garlic take your pick!
Other overwintering vegetables are broad beans and peas. Again I start them off under cover and plant out when still small and before the first hard frost. For broad beans Aquadulce Claudia is the best. An alternative is The Sutton which is not quite so hardy but is a dwarf variety good where space is limited. For peas try Douce Provence or Meteor.
Remember the AGM: 22 September, 6.30pm at the Reading Room, Chailey Green
Good Gardening
Peter Estcourt