Evidently among them are some who have not ever gardened before; a customer buying cauliflower seedlings at a nursery recently asked if they would be able to eat them by the end of the week! At least they are making a start!

Vegies which can be planted now include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broad beans, peas, lettuce, leeks, spinach, spring onions, early onions, swedes and turnips.

If planting onions, be sure they are early varieties, such as 'Barletta', which form bulbs in autumn as daylight hours decrease.

As pumpkins grow on a vine they are technically a fruit.

Pumpkins don't improve after picking, so are best left to ripen on the vine as long as possible. At this time of year help stop the fruit rotting by putting a piece of thick cardboard or foam box under the fruit to lift them up off the ground.

Most pumpkins are ready to pick in autumn but some types can be difficult to tell if they are ripe.

Generally pumpkins are ready to pick when the stalk becomes cracked and corky and the vine withers, goes brown and dies off.

Skin colour of the Jarrahdale types changes to a dull grey, Butternuts go yellow all over and the green stripes of JAP pumpkins become dull green.

Some varieties keep much better than others.

If storing, improve storage life by ensuring they are free of blemishes and harvesting with 10-15cm of stalk left on. Don't carry your pumpkin by the stalk, though!

Store in a cool, dry spot with good ventilation and inspect regularly to locate and remove any rotting fruit which can affect other pumpkins alongside.

Pumpkins harvested when immature (when the stem is still moist) are best used immediately. Roast, mash, steam, puree, turn them into soup or scones.

Meetings of the Armidale Garden Club have been suspended until further notice.