It is the beginning of October, and there are still jobs for the hard-working farmer. In the next few paragraphs, there is a list of what you can do during this period. Our focus is on fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, greens, bees and vineyards.
Orchards and vegetable gardens in mid-October
In the orchards, the harvest is mostly over, and only quinces and medlars remain, which can be harvested until the end of the month. After the harvest, the orchards prepare for the winter. First, the trees are inspected, dry and broken branches are removed, as well as fruits that have escaped the pickers, especially mummified fruits that are a sign of the presence of bacterial erwinia disease. Such fruits and branches are collected and burned to prevent further spread of the disease. Also, now is the time to fertilize with manure that is plowed in, and then mineral fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium are added, which help better wintering and root development.
In the vegetable gardens, soil is being prepared for sowing autumn vegetables, while plowing is being done on larger plots. Fertilizer is added according to fruit season, and vegetables such as onions (except leeks), peas, radishes, spinach and winter lettuce are planted. Due to climate changes, winter lettuce is sown from the end of August to mid-October. Matovilac can be sown until the middle of the month, while rocket can be sown throughout the year, preferably until the end of October. A new “tour” of spinach is also being sown, which will be ready for picking during the winter and early spring. In the first days of October, Swiss chard can be sown for early spring consumption, as well as carrots, parsley and other vegetables that can overwinter.
And what does October bring for vineyards, bees and mushrooms?
Work continues in the vineyards, the young vines planted in the spring are embraced, and the empty places are filled with new vines. Plots are also being prepared for planting new vineyards, while winemakers are busily preparing barrels for wine. Fermentation of white wines is almost finished, so sulphurization is carried out by adding wine racks, after which the wine can be decanted.
The bees retreated to the hives because there is no more pasture, so the beekeepers provide a sufficient amount of food and finish the work in the apiary started in September. In October, perennials and bulbs of ornamental plants are planted in the gardens. Old roses that have lost their decorativeness are replaced by new selections, while decorative bushes and trees are pruned. Tubers of flowers such as dahlias and gladioli bulbs are taken out of the ground, which will be stored during the winter.
Finally, October brings a rich harvest of mushrooms such as champignons, chanterelles, black trumpets, champignons and many other species, which are in demand among forest fruit lovers.
Source: Good morning
Source: boljazemlja.com
