Harvests in the vegetable garden
Even if October is the peak season for cucurbits, it is not the only harvest you can enjoy in the vegetable garden, depending on your seedlings, of course. For some vegetables, this is an emergency, because they would not withstand the first frosts and would be lost. Here is a non-exhaustive list of vegetables that you can or should harvest in October:
- Beets : you can harvest them on a sunny day. After harvest, let them dry on site before storing them in a silo or box filled with damp sand. Then keep them in the dark in a room where the temperature does not vary too much.
- Carrots : you can harvest them according to your needs.
- Lettuce and chicory : you can also harvest them according to your needs.
- Zucchini : these are the last and they must be harvested, because they would not resist frost.
- Broccoli cabbage : when their apples are well formed, cut the stem with a knife. Don’t wait too long before picking them, because you shouldn’t let the flower open. You will then enjoy new broccoli cabbage.
- Brussels sprouts : they can be picked when the apple is between 2 and 3 cm in diameter. As a general rule, it is advisable to start harvesting from the bottom, since this is where the apples develop first.
- Cauliflower : they are harvested when the apple is firm and compact. Then simply cut at the base.
- Headed cabbages : before harvesting them, you must wait until the apple reaches 20 cm in diameter. All you have to do is cut under the head of the cabbage.
- Spinach : it is recommended to pick the spinach leaves one by one, cutting the rosettes at the collar. This way of proceeding will allow the plant to continue to produce leaves.
- Turnips : 4 months after sowing, you can harvest the fall or winter turnips.
- Hot peppers : if you want to enjoy hot peppers, leave them on the vine and harvest them as needed.
- Leeks : it is possible to harvest the first leeks even if they are still small.
- Peppers : You can harvest the peppers once they reach the expected color depending on your preferences.
- Pumpkins and pumpkins : they can be harvested as soon as the peduncle is dry and they come off easily. If you do not want to consume them immediately, you can store them for a few months in a dry, well-ventilated place.
- Radish : when the pink part of your radishes protrudes above the ground, you can harvest them.
- Rocket : you can take leaves as needed by cutting them.
- Tomatoes : even if your last tomatoes are still green, harvest them, because they will no longer ripen. It is possible to make green tomato jam.
Aromatic plant harvests
In October, you can harvest certain aromatic plants. Here are some examples:
- Parsley : you can cut the leaves from your parsley plants as you need them.
- Coriander : 1 month after planting your coriander seeds, you can harvest the fresh leaves as you need them.
- Basil : two solutions are available to you: either you bring it in warm during the winter to continue to enjoy its leaves as you need, or you pick them all at once. You can then freeze them, cook them or dry them to preserve them.
- Dill : it can also be harvested as and when needed. Once the umbrellas are dry and brown, it is possible to harvest the seeds for your future sowing.
Harvests in the orchard
You can harvest the following fruits from the orchard:
- Quinces : they should be harvested between September and November when their down leaves if you rub it. It is recommended to prepare them quickly after harvesting, as they do not keep long.
- Kiwis : they will be ready to be harvested from October until the first frost. Although some actinidia are self-fertile, not all are and it will be necessary to combine male plants with female plants.
- Walnuts and hazelnuts : their full season begins.
- Apples and pears : Late varieties of these fruit trees can give you fruit in October.
- Chestnuts : they are to be harvested from the end of October to November.
- Figs : the last figs can be harvested.
- Blackberries and raspberries : in October, you can still enjoy small fruits like these.