Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter

Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter

Now as we reach the second half of August and head towards September there are a few important tasks we can do as we train our eyes firmly towards autumn and winter.

The long but now gradually diminishing day length is typical of August. So too are the often still, humid days, which typically can encourage potato blight. All of this signifies that nature will soon be slowing down a little as a precursor to the darker days that lie ahead.

Crops like broad beans and peas are now looking tired and are ready to be composted. Summer strawberries and other soft fruits, such as blackcurrants and gooseberries, have finished too. Meanwhile summer onions and overwintered garlic are also just about ready to be lifted as they run out of steam.

All of this focuses the mind of allotmenteers in a positive way, especially if you are one of those who, like myself, want to keep their plot in use over winter. As ever there is much to be done!

CROPS TO SOW IN AUTUMN

There is still warmth in the sun and soil temperatures are good, so August can be a good month to sow seeds directly outdoors as seed germination is a doddle.