THREE JOBS FOR THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

1HARVEST MAINCROP POTATOES Clear the yellow plant tops to the compost heap but leave potatoes in the soil for another week. Dig them up on a dry day and sit them on the soil for a few hours before storing.

2SUPPORT MELONS If you’re training melons skywards the swelling fruit will need support. You can buy special melon ‘hammocks’ online, or be creative and make your own out of stretchy netting or even crochet!

3SOW A GREEN MANURE In empty areas, sow a quickgrowing green manure such as mustard (Synapsis alba) or phacelia. Either dig in after a couple of months or wait for these halfhardy annuals to be knocked back by frost and dig them in in spring.

Don’t forget

HARVEST AND PRESERVE as much as possible STAKE tall brassicas ORDER autumn-planting garlic, fruit trees, bushes and canes SPREAD COMPOST when clearing crops PLANT saffron crocus CUT BACK strawberry plants RIPEN pumpkins and squashes CLEAN greenhouse glass