Based in Bishopthorpe, Brunswick is a community for adults with learning disabilities and autism, known as ‘workers’), growing organic fruit and veg, perennials and shrubs, all sold at their shop on Appleton Road, with the proceeds supporting the charity.
This month, our experts advise on what to do in October… with Plant Production Manager, Mark Johnson.
As we head well into Autumn, it’s a great time to review your garden and put plans in place to get the most from it for next year.
Top of the list of priorities is clearing falling leaves weekly on lawns. Consider making them into lead mould rather than recycling, as they make a really rich compost if you put them into bags or bins to rot down – running a lawn mower over them first will speed up the process. Make sure you punch some holes in the bags and add moisture to get the process going. Beech and Oak are best as they break down quickly, but avoid evergreen leaves and conifer needles, which should go on the compost pile or in the recyling bin.
It’s tempting to cut down perennials in borders and tidy up, but leaving the stems until the New Year will provide homes for overwintering insects. There is still warmth in the soil, so now is a good time to plant new varieties, giving them a head start before winter sets in.
It’s also a great time to plant any bulbs you have, either stored from earlier in the year or bought new. Most will benefit from the warmer October soil, but tulips prefer it a bit colder, so leave them for later in the month.
If you’ve been thinking about adding some new features to your garden, now is a great time to set up a pond. Even a small one, or just a container of water, can attract birds, insects and other wildlife, helping to increase biodiversity in the garden. You might need some oxygenating plants to start off with (pick wisely or they can take over), or you could just wait and see what appears naturally!
October Gardening Q+A: I have some pretty mushrooms growing round my apple tree, but my friend says it could be honey fungus – what do I do?
Don’t panic. This is peak time for mushrooms, so yours could be harmless, but it’s important to check as honey fungus is very damaging to the garden. Peel back some of the bark – you’re looking for a white layer underneath, with a very strong mushroomy smell and long, black strands of fungal growth. The RHS website has more info, if you’re still not sure. Good luck!
Brunswick’s Pland of the Month: Broad Beans
Hi, I’m Alex. I work at Brunswick and I have a special interest in plants. This month, I am going to advise about Broad Beans (Vivica faba), which you can sow now for an early spring crop.
Sowing: They like a warm, sunny site in rich, free-draining soil. If you have a sheltered spot, you can try planting seeds outside directly, or grow indoors on a window sill or greenhouse. If sowing outside, put the seeds in small pots to protect them from mice. Sow them at 5cm (2in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart, in pear-free or loam-based compost with the scar side pointing down.
Dwarf varieties: Dwarf varieties grow to about 50cm (20in) and are great for growing in containers.
Care: Water regularly, until they’re ready for harvesting. Larger varieties will need support to keep them upright: insert sturdy stakes at each side of the rows and at least every 1.2m (4ft) along. Run string around the stakes, high enough to support the broad beans.
Harvesting: Late spring and late summer are generally the best time for harvesting, depending on the sowing time and variety. (Top tip: smaller pods are sweeter than the larger ones!)
Brunswick Organic Nursery is located at Appleton Rd, Bishopthorpe, YO23 2RF. Visit www.brunswickyork.org.uk/ to get in touch or find out more.
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