The orchard in October

NOW WE SAY GOODBYE TO THE HEAT AND GOOD WEATHER

We could already see how the orchard in September changed. The heat was not so oppressive, the rains began to make an appearance from time to time. Even so, you could still maintain your own summer crops in many places on the peninsula. The orchard in October is another story. Although it depends on the site, from the second half of the month we can put an end to the summer crops and start thinking about cold crops. Go for it.

ORCHARD WEATHER IN OCTOBER

The orchard in October undergoes important changes conditioned by the weather. In October everything changes, until the hour and I don’t know about the garden, but it completely dislodges us. Suddenly it gets dark much earlier and that causes us a mental imbalance and an annual jetlag from clinging to the males. Some say no but that change in daylight hours affects us a lot. September was a month in which summer temperatures could still be enjoyed in many parts of Spain. In October the entry of cold is inevitable from all sides, arriving in the form of frosts in the north of the peninsula. It is time to think about cold hardiness crops, about protections for those that can still give us something more if it does not freeze.

RUNNING OUT OF SUMMER PICKUPS

In temperate and warm zones we can still endure with some protection (if necessary) our own summer crops . The demanding ones, (nightshades and cucurbits such as zucchini, aubergine, tomato, pepper …). In cold areas the first frosts are just around the corner and although it does not freeze, we are already very close to the minimum 0ºC.

Leaving aside the last crops of nightshades and cucurbits, we still have collections of many, many things . Examples such as radishes, carrots, leeks, lettuces, endives, spinach, chard or beets.

AUTUMN PLANTINGS TAKE CENTER STAGE

Although plantings and harvests are done throughout the year if we are well planned, it is true that there are months when they pile up a bit more. These are usually the months of climatic transition. The change from winter to spring back in March and now the garden in October also calls for change . All the summer crops that are running out become unproductive and must be eliminated to make room for the typical autumn and winter sowings. Still it depends a lot on the climatic zone where we are. Cabbages, lettuces, endives, spinach or beans are some examples.

It is still a good month for green manures

In September we already commented on the convenience of green manures. As the climates in Spain are very different, October is still the time to plant green manures to recover those terraces where we have had demanding summer crops (mainly cucurbits and nightshades).

+++ Article about green manures

+++ Green manure comments on the forum

Green manures in raised bed
Source: lahuertinadetoni.blogspot.com

CRYPTOGAMIC DISEASES. PREVENTION PREVENTION PREVENTION !!!

One of the things for which the orchard in October stands out is the abundant rains in a normal year. The constant humidity and the wet crops, together with cold temperatures , means the proliferation of fungi that end up destroying and rotting the orchard. We have to take important precautions. In these types of conditions, prevention is the most powerful weapon . Horsetail decoction is one of the best methods to combat cryptogamic diseases. Anyway, some time ago we published an article on ecological methods to fight fungi. Check it out!

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