As summer begins to wind down, there’s still plenty to do on the allotment. August into autumn is a wonderful time of year – the harvest is in full swing, and the fruits of your hard work are ready to enjoy. But it’s not just about picking produce – this transitional season is also key for planning ahead, tidying up, and preparing for winter.
Here are some essential jobs to keep your plot productive and looking its best from August through to autumn:
1. Harvest Time!
August is a month of abundance. Keep picking crops regularly to encourage further production and avoid waste. Look out for:
- Courgettes (before they become marrows!)
- Runner and French beans
- Sweetcorn (when the tassels turn brown and the kernels release milky juice)
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in greenhouses
- Maincrop potatoes – lift once the foliage dies back
Also keep an eye on soft fruit like raspberries, blackberries, and late strawberries – harvest little and often.
2. Sow for Autumn and Winter
Late summer is ideal for sowing crops that will provide food over winter or early next spring. Consider:
- Winter lettuces (like ‘Arctic King’)
- Spinach and chard
- Oriental greens (mizuna, pak choi, mustards)
- Turnips and radishes
- Spring cabbages
Sow direct or into modules for transplanting in early autumn.
3. Tidy and Mulch
As crops are cleared, weed thoroughly and mulch beds with compost or well-rotted manure. This helps suppress new weeds, improves soil structure, and protects it from heavy rain.
Also:
- Cut back spent growth from summer crops
- Remove diseased or mildewed plants promptly
- Compost healthy green waste
4. Feed and Water
Late summer can still bring dry spells, so continue to water regularly – particularly newly planted crops, pots, and anything under cover. Feed fruiting plants (like tomatoes and peppers) with a high-potash feed to encourage continued harvest.
5. Plan Your Green Manures
When beds become empty, consider sowing green manures such as phacelia, mustard (on unused beds only – not where brassicas will go), or winter rye. They help:
- Prevent erosion (and the soil from washing away with flooding!)
- Improve soil structure
- Suppress weeds
- Add nutrients back into the soil
6. Prepare for Autumn Planting
Now’s the time to start thinking about planting garlic, onions, and shallots for overwintering – usually from late September onwards. Make sure you have a plan for where they’ll go and order your sets early.
7. Look After Wildlife
Leaving a few seed heads, building a log pile, or installing a bug hotel will help beneficial insects overwinter on your plot. Keep bird baths topped up and consider putting up a bird feeder for autumn visitors.
Final Thoughts
Late summer and early autumn may feel like the end of the growing season, but there’s still so much happening on the allotment. Whether you’re harvesting, tidying, or planning for the colder months, a little time spent now will pay off in the seasons to come. And don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy your hard-earned produce – perhaps with a flask of tea and a fresh-picked tomato in hand!