Should I harvest my pumpkins NOW?

[Piglet6]

They are all mostly orange now, and the plants have died back. Should I harvest them now, and bring them home to cure in the greenhouse?

[Primrose]

They won't grow any more now and if they're on an allotment and risk being damaged or vandalised it's probably sensible to let them cure in the safety of your greenhouse. Their longer term storage ability will depend on how well they have cured and in uncertain wet or cold weather it's better to err on the side of caution. It will also enable to get the ground cleared earlier ready for next year. You seem to have done very well with your crops Piglet. You must be very pleased with your efforts.

[Piglet6]

Thanks Primrose. My thoughts exactly. My plot neighbour had all his ripe tomatoes taken from his greenhouse a week ago - no vandalism, just ripe tomatoes missing!

I've managed to do really well this year despite beginning a little late. Some things haven't worked perfectly, such as the aubergines which are more at home in a greenhouse. However, I do have 3 little aubergines!!!

This is my first year on an allotment, and over this last week I have noticed quite a pronounced slow-down in the runner & french bean growing. Autumn has most definitely arrived!

My brussels have managed to survive a most horrendous catterpilar infestation this year! The damn things were everywhere!!! That has been the only time I have resorted to chemicals.

Overall, I am chuffed to bits with my first year I'm not expecting my second year to be as good due to the fact the soil has been depleted of goodness after laying fallow for a couple of years.

[Westi]

Ditto Piglet re: the chemicals! Cabbage White caterpillars everywhere despite my methodical squishing. Went to the lottie shop but nothing organic, but with what I have got munching away & the amount of butterflies still on the wing I had to take the plunge! Not sure it worked very well unless they have to ingest it frist.

Westi

[retropants]

piglet6, next year, I suggest covering your brassicas with very fine garden mesh, it's the only way to keep the blighters off!

you plot is looking fantastic, a credit to all your hard work

[Westi]

I had one bed covered in environmesh but somehow the little blighters got in. I appreciate the normal netting does let them in if they grow & touch the edges but I have baby cabbages in a bed & the netting is raised about 3 feet above them & they were not touching anywhere - do you think they might take advantage of any wind that might blow the netting into the plants? It is weighted down at the bottom but if you pull it too tight the canes bend inwards & eventually fall!

Need to get some wood & make myself some cages I think probably with some windbreak over it - only trouble is I'd probably poke someone's eye out taking the wood down to lottie on the bus! OR - put a real one on my Xmas wish list, but someone will probably nick it!

Westi