Winter crops and plan ahead

It's time to replenish empty soil for next year's plants

ONCE the summer harvesting is done the main tasks are giving your soil some love and keeping autumn and winter crops healthy and pest-free. Last year we lost all our brassicas because the mesh of our protective netting was too wide and butterflies found their way through and their caterpillars ate the entire crop.

This year, the lesson learned, we have bought smaller gauge netting and the butterflies are frustrated.

When you use netting, make sure it is kept taut and the ends are tidied away to prevent hedgehogs and other garden mammals and pets from getting tangled in its folds.

We grow most of our veggies in raised beds and once the harvested plants are removed it is time to replenish the soil.

Our raised beds, along with most of the garden, are no-dig, and each autumn we add layers of homemade compost and well-rotted manure. This breaks down through the winter and creates a rich medium in which to plant in spring.