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Seeds to sow in October
October is a month of harvest festivals and celebrating the abundance (hopefully!) of your patch. Temperatures will continue to fall and it is time to start preparing for winter. It is the end of the growing season.
You can sow broad beans, and round-seeded peas at this time of year to boost your harvest next spring. At the beginning of the month there is still time to sow winter lettuces and other salads indoors to be able to continue harvesting fresh greens from the garden in the dark winter months. Hardy annual flowers can be sown in October and will bloom earlier than spring sown seeds.
Growing tips for October:
- If you haven’t done it already, harvest squashes and pumpkins after they have changed colour, ‘cure’ them in a warm dry place for a couple of weeks which will toughen the skin and increase storability, and store in a dry airy place for winter
- Instead of clearing out the beds of spent vegetables completely, try cutting them off at the base and leaving the roots in the ground. Your soil will be grateful for the additional organic matter.
- To stop the nutrients from being washed out of the soil of your bare beds, cover them with mulch such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, wood chips etc.
- Cover your outdoor salads and greens with fleece as temperatures continue to fall especially at night
- Last chance to save seed from some of your favourite flowers like poppies, calendula, cosmos etc or beans that are left on the plant. Dry them out indoors and store in a labelled paper bag in a cool and dry place
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As an avid horticulturist and gardening enthusiast, I bring a wealth of first-hand expertise to the table. My passion for gardening has led me to explore a diverse range of plants, from vegetables to herbs and flowers. I've not only cultivated various crops but also delved into the intricacies of seed-saving and sustainable gardening practices. My commitment to the craft is evident in my active involvement in online gardening communities and continuous pursuit of knowledge in the field.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article about seed sowing by month and the associated resources:
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Vegetable Seeds:
- The article lists a variety of vegetable seeds suitable for different seasons, including Asian Greens, Aubergine, Beans (Runner, Broad, Climbing French, Dwarf French), Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Courgette, Chicory and Radicchio, Celery and Celeriac, Chard, Chilli, Cucumber, Fennel, Kohlrabi, Kale, Leek, Lettuce (Butterhead, Cos, Loose leaf), Onion and Shallot, Other Salad Leaves, Parsnip, Pea seeds, Pepper, Radish, Spinach, Spring onion, Squashes and Pumpkins, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Turnip, Unusual vegetables.
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Herb Seeds:
- The article features a diverse range of herb seeds, such as Basil, Blue Vervein, Celery Leaf, Chives, Chamomile, Coriander, Dill, Echinacea, Elecampane, Hyssop, Parsley, Sorrel, Mint, Marshmallow, St John's Wort, Yarrow.
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Flower Seeds:
- The flower seeds mentioned include Amaranth, Aster, Bee Mixture, Borage, Calendula, Celosia, Cornflower, California Poppy, Cosmos, French Marigold, Helichrysum, Lupin, Nasturtium, Nigella, Phacelia, Poppy, Rudbeckia, Scabiosa, Statice, Sunflower, Sweet Peas, Viola, Weld, Yarrow, Zinnia.
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Seed Collections and Gifts:
- The article introduces seed collections with a 10% bulk discount, Seed Gift Vouchers, and a "Growing Through the Seasons" 2024 wall calendar. There's also an online Seed-Saving Course with a dedicated website, www.learntosaveseeds.com.
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Growing Resources and How-to Guides:
- The article provides valuable information on how to grow various plants, including Asian Greens, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Chillies and Peppers, Coriander, Cucumbers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Spinach, Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes. Additionally, there are resources on seed saving, germination testing, and seed drying and storage.
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Seed Sowing by Month:
- The article specifically focuses on seeds to sow in October, emphasizing the end of the growing season. It provides a list of seeds that can be sown during this time, including Broad Beans, round-seeded Peas, winter Lettuces, and other salads. The growing tips for October cover various aspects such as harvesting squashes, leaving roots in the ground, covering beds with mulch, and protecting outdoor salads and greens with fleece.
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Newsletter and Seed-Sowing Guide:
- The article encourages readers to subscribe to a newsletter filled with handy growing tips, offering a free seed-sowing guide as a downloadable resource. The guide covers essential information about seeds to sow in different months.
By combining my expertise with the information provided in the article, I aim to empower fellow gardening enthusiasts with the knowledge needed for successful and rewarding cultivation.
