As the
weather has turned cooler, our fabulous bedding displays have all taken a big
knock and I'm afraid a lot of ours have been sent to the compost heap! It’s
really time now to tidy the garden, plant for spring and let’s not forgets to
harvest what fruit & veg successes are left. Lawns can be given the last
few cuts and no doubt lots of leaves to clear from them too, but remember to
clear then from any ponds you might have to.
So really
the tasks ahead can be broken down into these four main groups:
Plant -
· Cabbages - seed or young plants available through most garden centres
· Trees - again plant any planned trees now before soil cools too much.
· Spring bulbs - lots of multi packs on offer now through supermarkets & garden centres , now is the time to plant if you want spring colour
· Flowers - plant either seed under protection or young plants out now, again lots of offers on young plants like Wallflowers in garden centres & supermarkets to avail of.
Harvest -
· Potatoes
· Onions - lift and let them dry fully and store only the firm ones, using any damaged ones first.
· Herbs - cut and use any remaining herbs, not forgetting to collect the seed also.
· Pears - store only the firm/ non bruised ones, using any damaged ones first
· Apples - store only the firm/ non bruised ones, using any damaged ones first
Maintenance
-
· Lawns; mow if required, and lay
any new turf if you’re planning to before soil gets too cool to stimulate any
growth.
· Prune any shrubs that are getting
out of hand, including climbing roses
· Take hardwood cuttings (maybe in
conjunction with planned pruning!)
· Lift and divide any plants that
may require it - Rhubarb / Hosta / or any plant that's becoming bald in the
centre, like grasses etc.
Planning
ahead -
· Order seeds / plugs / young
plants for next year.
· Dig over any unused vegetable
plots and apply manure/compost , to allow coming frosts to kill any weeds/seeds
Whatever the weather , Happy Gardening !
