Monthly Fruit and Vegetable Handbook, Featuring Monty
**Preparing Your October Garden: A Guide to Growing Strawberries, Caring for Brussels Sprouts, and Harvesting Squashes**
As the leaves begin to change and the days grow shorter, it's time to turn your attention to your October garden. Here are some expert tips on preparing and planting bare-root strawberries, supporting Brussels sprouts, and harvesting squashes to ensure a bountiful harvest this autumn.
**Bare-Root Strawberries Preparation and Planting**
To get your strawberry patch off to a flying start, choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Before planting, prepare beds by deeply digging in a 1-inch layer of compost and about 5 pounds of bone meal per 100 square feet to enrich soil fertility.
Once your bare-root strawberry plants arrive, soak their roots in tepid water briefly to rehydrate them. Loosen the soil and rake the planting area to create a smooth bed. Plant strawberries so that the crown (where roots meet stems) is just above soil level, spacing plants about 12 to 18 inches apart, depending on variety. Cover roots with soil and gently firm it, then mulch with plastic or straw to prevent fruit rot from soil contact.
Keep soil evenly moist using drip irrigation if possible, providing 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water weekly during the growing season. Pinch off runners to encourage plant vigor and fruit production.
**Supporting Brussels Sprouts**
Brussels sprouts benefit from growing alongside other crops, such as carrots, which helps maintain healthy soil with minimal disturbance and weeding. As plants grow tall, support them with stakes or cages to prevent lodging caused by wind or heavy heads. Maintain clean compost and avoid soil disturbance around the plants to encourage steady growth.
**Harvesting Squashes in October**
October is a suitable time for harvesting squashes. Squashes are typically ready to harvest when their skin hardens and color deepens. Use a sharp tool to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving a short stem attached to prolong storage life. Harvest before heavy frosts to avoid damage to the squash. Store squashes in a cool, dry place for optimal preservation during the fall and winter months.
It's important to note that after harvesting, squashes need to be exposed to sunshine to ripen. This process is crucial for the quality of the squashes. Monty, for example, has been harvesting his Uchiki Kuri onion squashes, which have ripened enough to be picked.
These steps will help ensure a successful strawberry planting from bare-root plants, proper care and support for Brussels sprouts, and timely harvesting of squashes in your October garden. Happy gardening!
[1] Monty's vegetable garden contains Uchiki Kuri onion squashes. [2] The video clips show Monty giving support to Brussels sprouts with sturdy stakes. [3] Monty demonstrates the process of planting bare-root strawberries. [4] Monty picks the last of his squashes in the video clips. [5] After harvesting, squashes need to be exposed to sunshine to ripen.
Nurturing a home-and-garden lifestyle, consider supporting Brussels sprouts with stakes or cages to prevent lodging and ensure healthy growth. You can also expect to harvest squashes in October when their skin hardens and color deepens, storing them in a cool, dry place for optimal preservation. Meanwhile, prepare your bare-root strawberry plants by soaking their roots, planting them in compost-enriched soil, and mulching for fruit rot prevention. Enjoy garden success with these practices in your home-and-garden lifestyle!
