18/07/2013 - Research for the Month of October

Actual Temperature
15 degrees Celsius
Humidity : 80%
Rainfall : 8.8 mm
Wind : Calm Wind


A wide range of seed of highly decorative and delicious lettuce is now available on the market. Sow seed thinly (12 or more seeds at a time) at regular two weeks intervals for a regular supply. By carefully choosing types, it is possible to pick your own almost year round.

Herbs such a basil should be sown in rich, moist soil without delay. Both the wild rocket and the better-known cultivated rocket are among my favourite salad greens. Successive sowings about 6 weeks apart will ensure that there is always a continuous supply of leaves for the table or cooking. Tomato seedlings set out on Labour Weekend in the north, or later in the south, will be ready for picking by late December or early January.

Getting Ready

For most gardeners, this is a settled month with only the faintest chance of frost. Seed sowing and planting out can begin in earnest. Soil that has been prepared over the past few months will be in tip-top condition, ready to get plants off to the best possible start. Keep potatoes earthed up and watch for snail and slug attacks. Aphid infestations can be treated with a dousing of a soapy water or washed off with a blast from the host; otherwise use a suitable insecticide.

Frost-prone Areas

Seeds or seedlings of many tender plants, such as dwarf and climbing beans, pumpkin, marrow, zucchini and tomatoes, should only be planted out if the weather is warm and settled. October often has a sting in its tail, especially in parts of the south. Nevertheless, it is now possible to sow a wide range of vegetables including celery, lettuce, radish, mustard peas. French beans (in sheltered spots) parsnips, carrots and turnips in well-dug, well-drained warm soil. Seedlings of all of the above can be planted out in sheltered positions.

Frost-free Areas  

Most summer vegetables can be either sown or planted out now that the weather has settled. Main-crop potatoes, climbing  or dwarf beans, aubergine, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower cucumber, summer varieties of florence fennel, leeks lettuce, marrow, peas, pumpkin, silver beet, swede, sweet corn, and tomato are just some of the many vegetables that will flourish as the days lengthen and warm.