Before I turn to the second week in October, I should explain that the first week in October saw me, by and large, cowering indoors, hoping to avoid the rain. I felt shamed into turning my attention to several ‘projects’ that I had earmarked for myself when lockdown began, err, just over six months ago.
One of these projects was to put some order into several piles of books that I have been accumulating and I saved that one till last, as a sort of reward to myself. It’s possible to do a fair amount of sitting down and indulge in a little light reading to help the project along. When I was almost done I unearthed (no pun intended) a great little collection of old and new books about gardening that a friend had presented to me when I took on my allotment.
One was a charming reprint of a book containing sensible advice for the novice WWII allotment-holder, including how to dig efficiently without straining your back – why didn’t I pay more attention?! – and a list of necessary tools to see you through:
Adam the Gardener, a Sunday Express publication from around 1954, presents the gardener’s year, what to do and when, with illustrations of Adam in action. He never looks very happy and I fear he hadn’t got the advice about digging techniques. I thought I would see what Adam had to say about jobs to be done in the garden in the second week in October. Here’s what I found!
Melanie
Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society 
The remedy for pot plants that have been ” reached by frost” is intriguing, I would never have thought of pouring cold water on them! And sadly, Monty’s Jobs for the Week has never suggested layering carnations this summer, so I haven’t any to lift now. I wonder why you leave them for 4 days? Great article!
LikeLike
I too found the frost treatment intriguing! This is certainly worth a try. Some interesting ‘top tips’ also! I always find it interesting how so much languishes, often never to be seen again apart from a fortuitous unearthing ( again pun not intended!).
LikeLike