What to Do on Your Allotment in October

October is when the allotment shifts decisively into its winter mode. The main harvest is done, but there is still real work to do — and the crops left in the ground now are often the most rewarding ones. The first hard frost of autumn transforms a parsnip from a decent root vegetable into something extraordinary.

What to sow and plant in October

• Garlic — mid-October is the traditional main planting time across most of the UK. Plant into well-prepared soil, 15cm apart, in rows 30cm apart. Cover with soil so just the tip is showing.
• Broad beans — an autumn sowing produces stronger, earlier plants than a spring sowing in many areas. Sow in double rows in a sheltered spot. They overwinter as small plants and burst away in spring.
• Overwintering onion sets — last chance if not already done.
• Spring cabbage — plant out module-grown seedlings from September sowings.
• Green manures — on any cleared beds not earmarked for garlic.

What to harvest in October

• Parsnips — wait until after the first frost. The cold breaks starch down into sugar and transforms the flavour. A parsnip roasted in October is a different vegetable to one eaten in September.
• Brussels sprouts — harvest from the base of the stalk upwards after the first frost softens the bitterness.
• Leeks — a reliable harvest crop from now through February.
• Kale, chard, and cavolo nero — cut young leaves regularly.
• Beetroot — lift the remaining roots before hard frosts make the ground impenetrable. Store in boxes of slightly damp sand in a cool shed.
• Squash and pumpkins — bring any remaining ones inside before frost.

Key jobs for October

Lift and store root vegetables. Carrots, beetroot, and turnips left in the ground risk frost damage in a cold October. Twist off foliage, let dry briefly, and store in boxes of barely damp sand in a cool, dark, frost-free shed.

Clear and compost spent crops. Remove bean haulm, courgette plants, and other finished crops. Add to the compost heap. Leave brassica roots in the ground for 1–2 weeks after removing tops — they feed beneficial soil organisms.

Add compost to cleared beds. A 5–8cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure applied now will be worked in by worms over winter, leaving the soil in excellent condition for spring.

Pests to watch

• Slugs remain active in mild October spells. Check brassicas and autumn salads.
• Mice — as the weather cools, mice move into sheds looking for warmth. Check stored bulbs and vegetables regularly.

Quick win: leave parsnips in the ground until they taste right

Many first-time growers pull parsnips in September and find them starchy and underwhelming. Leave them in the ground until after the first real frost — typically late October. Then pull one and taste it. The difference is remarkable.