Barry Cuff takes a look back through his diary at what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month
Image: Barry Cuff
The autumn weather has been unusually mild, with few nights dropping below 10ºC and no frosts. A balanced mix of sun, cloud and rain kept temperatures frequently above 15ºC, encouraging continued growth and prolonged flowering. As a result, both plants and weeds have remained in bloom well into the season, especially on sunny days. Moth mullein, shoo fly, borage, feverfew and thornapple have all been flowering, alongside cultivated favourites like nasturtiums, dahlias, cosmos and nicotiana. Many weeds are still flowering at the end of the month too: speedwell, red dead-nettle, groundsel, dandelion and gallant soldier are all still showing colour.
These blooms have attracted a steady stream of pollinators – including red admiral, peacock, cabbage white, comma and even a clouded yellow butterfly – as well as hoverflies, wasps and, on one occasion, a solitary hummingbird hawkmoth.
The ivy in the hedgerow, now in full flower, has also proved especially popular with visiting insects.
We’ve planted part of the flower area with wallflowers and Sweet Williams, ready to bloom in 2026.
Groundwork – As old crops have been cleared (runner and French beans, sweetcorn and squashes) the ground was left fallow and quickly produced a flush of new weed seedlings. One small area has been dug where the garlic will be planted in November.
Weedy Areas – Strimmed to stop seeding, to be dug in next year.
Compost – We have emptied out one of our heaps: we have four, all at different stages. This one was about three years old, and produced more than 30 wheelbarrow loads of excellent compost.
Green manure – We now have about 20 per cent of the allotment sown with phacelia.
Manure – There was a delay to the arrival date, should now arrive mid-November.
Harvesting – We’re still picking carrots, beetroot, parsnip, leeks, celeriac, salad leaves, radish, spring onion, courgette, Chinese cabbage and radicchio.
Tomatoes and peppers – Picking the last of these for the year.
In store and the freezer – Potatoes, onions, sweetcorn, French beans, garlic and peas.
Preserves – This month we’ve made jam from currants and strawberries, and pickled cabbage, beetroot and gherkins.
Winter squashes – On 9th October we harvested seven Crown Prince and eight butterfly butternut (the largest weighed 8lbs!)
Brassicas – All looking well under a protective net. Still the odd caterpillar and whitefly to remove.
Red Drumhead red cabbage, cutting as required
Ironman calabrese, producing small side shoots
Cheesy cauliflower, last head cut on 29th October
Cendis cauliflower, plants starting to produce heads, will be ready to cut late November
Brendan sprouts have buttons the size of marbles – they will be ready in December
Purple sprouting broccoli, strong healthy plants, will be ready late December onwards
Spring cabbage and cauli, both looking well.
Fruit – Thanks to the good weather we had two or three pickings of strawberries. It’s been a good year for our conference pears too: they are excellent when poached in home-made wine and spices!
