CARE AND ADVICE
October
The autumn clear-up begins as cool nights and more rain encourage die back of summer flowers and the leaves of trees begin to display their brilliant final colours before leaf-fall. There are new seeds, sets and plants to position in the vegetable garden and more bulbs and bedding to plant in your flower borders. This can be one of the busiest times of the year for gardeners, but very rewarding.
The autumn clear-up begins as cool nights and more rain encourage die back of summer flowers and the leaves of trees begin to display their brilliant final colours before leaf-fall. There are new seeds, sets and plants to position in the vegetable garden and more bulbs and bedding to plant in your flower borders. This can be one of the busiest times of the year for gardeners, but very rewarding.
Beds & BordersIt’s time to bite the bullet and remove all summer flowers from your decorative beds and borders ready to plant up spring bulbs and winter flowering bedding. The earlier you do this job the better. In a “normal” autumn the soil should be still warm enough to encourage the establishment of new roots from both bedding and bulbs giving them a much better chance of producing a good display than if you plant them out during cold weather of November.
After removing your summer bedding from your border knock off all soil from the roots and put to one side. Now is a good time to take home-made compost from your domestic heap and incorporate this into the soil to improve the structure, the drainage and the organic body. The most decomposed vegetable waste will be found in the lower layers of your compost heap as this is the area that has experienced the maximum effect of bacteria and micro-organisms that create heat and encourage the breakdown of the plant leaves, stems and vegetable peelings. If your compost is still wet and slimy it probably needs more time and the addition of some torn up brown cardboard to balance out the high nitrogen content of too much grass. If you mix up the whole content of the heap with brown cardboard this will add air and absorb some of the wetness and introduce extra carbon to improve the decomposition process. Shredded paper is also another valuable addition to grass clippings as it works in a similar way.
If you have no home-made compost or it’s not friable enough to dig in, it is worth buying a few bags of Levington Farmyard Manure or Levington Organic Blend Soil Conditioner. This will be virtually free of weed seeds because of the production process and will also supply some nutrients to boost the background feeding ability of your soil. This is an ideal addition to all soils, but especially useful when planting oriental lily bulbs during October in a sunny spot that’s protected from strong winds.
Buying your bulbs in October will also provide you with the widest choice of bulb types, colours and varieties. Most of us tend to grow tulips that flower in March and April as they provide strong colours early on in the spring. Favourites for me are the Greigii types that have mottled foliage. They have short stems about 15cm long and come in many colours – Red Riding Hood (red, obviously), Stresa (yellow with red flash) and Pinocchio red base with petals edged in white.
For an April/May tulip reminiscent of old Dutch oil paintings see if you can find the double bedding tulip called Carnival de Nice. It produces large, fragrant double white blooms with strong bright red flares that set it well apart from single colours.
Very fashionable of late are the fringed tulips that have heavily serrated edges to the petals. They bloom from late April to May on tall stems having extra interest in their flashy bi-colours and fascinating petal forms.
After the first frosts the foliage of your dahlias and canna lilies will turn soft, brown and limp indicating that the growing season is over and that the tubers need to be dug up ready for storage. Drying the tubers thoroughly before wrapping them in newspaper is essential to minimise any carryover of storage rots. The simplest regime is to cut off the stem about 15cm (6”) above the tuber and to remove any soil from between the roots by hand. After being placed upside-down in a cardboard box for three or four days the tubers should then be ready for packing away. I label each plant carefully so that next spring I can identify appropriate colours and wrap each tuber individually in a couple of sheets of broadsheet newspaper before storage in a large cardboard box.
My integral garage is frost-free in most winters and if the boxes are stored well away from the door they are cool but well protected. This location I find better than my shed or unheated greenhouse, which get too cold, or anywhere indoors, which is too warm and dry. It’s up to you to find the best place in your home that is frost-free and below 100C (500F).
Topical Tip
Dig up gladioli corms and remove the withered plate from the bottom of the new corm. If you spot small bulbils at the joint pull these off and plant up in pots of Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost. Store in a cold frame where they can grow during next year.
After removing your summer bedding from your border knock off all soil from the roots and put to one side. Now is a good time to take home-made compost from your domestic heap and incorporate this into the soil to improve the structure, the drainage and the organic body. The most decomposed vegetable waste will be found in the lower layers of your compost heap as this is the area that has experienced the maximum effect of bacteria and micro-organisms that create heat and encourage the breakdown of the plant leaves, stems and vegetable peelings. If your compost is still wet and slimy it probably needs more time and the addition of some torn up brown cardboard to balance out the high nitrogen content of too much grass. If you mix up the whole content of the heap with brown cardboard this will add air and absorb some of the wetness and introduce extra carbon to improve the decomposition process. Shredded paper is also another valuable addition to grass clippings as it works in a similar way.
If you have no home-made compost or it’s not friable enough to dig in, it is worth buying a few bags of Levington Farmyard Manure or Levington Organic Blend Soil Conditioner. This will be virtually free of weed seeds because of the production process and will also supply some nutrients to boost the background feeding ability of your soil. This is an ideal addition to all soils, but especially useful when planting oriental lily bulbs during October in a sunny spot that’s protected from strong winds.
Buying your bulbs in October will also provide you with the widest choice of bulb types, colours and varieties. Most of us tend to grow tulips that flower in March and April as they provide strong colours early on in the spring. Favourites for me are the Greigii types that have mottled foliage. They have short stems about 15cm long and come in many colours – Red Riding Hood (red, obviously), Stresa (yellow with red flash) and Pinocchio red base with petals edged in white.
For an April/May tulip reminiscent of old Dutch oil paintings see if you can find the double bedding tulip called Carnival de Nice. It produces large, fragrant double white blooms with strong bright red flares that set it well apart from single colours.
Very fashionable of late are the fringed tulips that have heavily serrated edges to the petals. They bloom from late April to May on tall stems having extra interest in their flashy bi-colours and fascinating petal forms.
After the first frosts the foliage of your dahlias and canna lilies will turn soft, brown and limp indicating that the growing season is over and that the tubers need to be dug up ready for storage. Drying the tubers thoroughly before wrapping them in newspaper is essential to minimise any carryover of storage rots. The simplest regime is to cut off the stem about 15cm (6”) above the tuber and to remove any soil from between the roots by hand. After being placed upside-down in a cardboard box for three or four days the tubers should then be ready for packing away. I label each plant carefully so that next spring I can identify appropriate colours and wrap each tuber individually in a couple of sheets of broadsheet newspaper before storage in a large cardboard box.
My integral garage is frost-free in most winters and if the boxes are stored well away from the door they are cool but well protected. This location I find better than my shed or unheated greenhouse, which get too cold, or anywhere indoors, which is too warm and dry. It’s up to you to find the best place in your home that is frost-free and below 100C (500F).
Topical Tip
Dig up gladioli corms and remove the withered plate from the bottom of the new corm. If you spot small bulbils at the joint pull these off and plant up in pots of Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost. Store in a cold frame where they can grow during next year.
Don’t abandon your tubs, troughs or hanging baskets throughout the winter, but plant them up with appropriate subjects that will provide interest and colour in some of the dullest months of the year.
The secret of good growth is to fill your containers with fresh compost that contains slow release plant food and to buy good strong plants that will provide leaf texture and flowers in the most difficult of times. My favourite compost for winter planting is Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro because it releases some of its nutrients just after planting and keeps the rest for release only when the temperatures are warm and the plants can absorb the food easily. Another positive benefit of this compost is that as that because it contains no added lime, it can be used for planting mixed groups that include ericas and heathers that would not thrive in your average compost.
Small shrubs such as hebe, skimmia and euonymus will provide a central point of interest or you can provide bright red foliage using Leucothoe 'Scarletta' or evergreen Coprosma ‘Fireburst’. Some people prefer the bright red berries of Christmas Cherry (Solanum) surrounded by winter-flowering heathers, pansies or even ornamental cabbage or kale to provide foliage interest. Many heucheras will also give fascinating leaf colours and markings to brighten your container.
Small-leaved ivies were traditionally used to soften the harsh outlines of containers although nowadays garden centres also offer arching sprays of decorative grasses such as Carex comens or Carex buchanii to do a similar job. Other new edging plants also include new tumbling pansies and violas that will grow over the edges and provide plenty of attractive flower colour.
Hanging baskets for winter display should have been established well before now, so it’s well worth buying ready-planted baskets from your local garden centre that are in full colour. Then all you need to do is to water regularly and a feed occasionally with Miracle-Gro Soluble Plant Food so that the roots are well nurtured.
Topical Tip
Complete the planting of spring bulbs using Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro compost. It’s peat free and contains a long lasting source of nutrients that will feed the bulbs during next year while they are in full leaf.
The secret of good growth is to fill your containers with fresh compost that contains slow release plant food and to buy good strong plants that will provide leaf texture and flowers in the most difficult of times. My favourite compost for winter planting is Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro because it releases some of its nutrients just after planting and keeps the rest for release only when the temperatures are warm and the plants can absorb the food easily. Another positive benefit of this compost is that as that because it contains no added lime, it can be used for planting mixed groups that include ericas and heathers that would not thrive in your average compost.
Small shrubs such as hebe, skimmia and euonymus will provide a central point of interest or you can provide bright red foliage using Leucothoe 'Scarletta' or evergreen Coprosma ‘Fireburst’. Some people prefer the bright red berries of Christmas Cherry (Solanum) surrounded by winter-flowering heathers, pansies or even ornamental cabbage or kale to provide foliage interest. Many heucheras will also give fascinating leaf colours and markings to brighten your container.
Small-leaved ivies were traditionally used to soften the harsh outlines of containers although nowadays garden centres also offer arching sprays of decorative grasses such as Carex comens or Carex buchanii to do a similar job. Other new edging plants also include new tumbling pansies and violas that will grow over the edges and provide plenty of attractive flower colour.
Hanging baskets for winter display should have been established well before now, so it’s well worth buying ready-planted baskets from your local garden centre that are in full colour. Then all you need to do is to water regularly and a feed occasionally with Miracle-Gro Soluble Plant Food so that the roots are well nurtured.
Topical Tip
Complete the planting of spring bulbs using Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro compost. It’s peat free and contains a long lasting source of nutrients that will feed the bulbs during next year while they are in full leaf.
Professional greenkeepers use this time of the year to overseed their turf areas to ensure that lawns go into the winter with a full covering of grass plants. Autumn is a great time to sow grass seed as long as you choose the right mixture and prepare the area in advance. You can use this time to sow a new lawn or renovate an old one.
For a new lawn it pays dividends to kill off all previous growth, including deep-rooted perennial weeds with either Roundup GC or Weedol Rootkill Plus. These glyphosate-based weedkillers will get rid of broadleaved weeds and perennial grasses such as couch and Yorkshire fog that would otherwise disfigure the overall look of your new lawn. Remember this is the only time that you can easily get rid of these weed grasses from a lawn, so if you want a fine grass finish, do the weedkilling right now.
After leaving the area treated with these weedkillers for a couple of weeks to allow the roots to be killed off, it’s time to level the surface and improve the soil structure. Adding a good dressing of EverGreen Enriched Lawn Soil to your existing soil will lighten the structure and provide a fair amount of lawn food for a thicker, greener lawn. You can also use this lawn dressing to fill in hollows and repair bare patches on an existing lawn.
To ensure the soil doesn’t settle with bumps and hollows, firm the soil by shuffling over the whole area and then rake to create a completely level surface. It’s now time to select your grass seed mixture to suit your needs and those of your family. You can find EverGreen grass seed for shady areas, tough play areas, front lawn fine areas and for multi-purpose use. Any will provide a great looking lawn because they contain a mixture of the right types of grasses for your chosen area. If you don’t have any special needs in mind plump for Miracle-Gro All Purpose Grass Seed because it is free from any agricultural grasses and enriched with Miracle-Plant Food to give you a thicker, greener lawn in days. The extra food will help the grass develop a great root system and provide nutrients to ensure a quick establishment of your new lawn.
If an established lawn is looking thin and contains small bare patches it’s a good idea to over-seed the area with the same product to provide thousands of fine new grass plants. In optimum conditions you can see visible results in just 5 days. By applying Miracle-Gro All Purpose Grass Seed you will help to fill in the gaps between grasses and provide extra nutrients so that your existing lawn will have more vigour and thus turn greener and produce new side shoots.
Topical Tip
If you haven’t fed your lawn in the last couple of months, treat the area with EverGreen Autumn 2 in 1 to green up the grass and kill off any moss patches that have developed now that the weather has turned much wetter.
For a new lawn it pays dividends to kill off all previous growth, including deep-rooted perennial weeds with either Roundup GC or Weedol Rootkill Plus. These glyphosate-based weedkillers will get rid of broadleaved weeds and perennial grasses such as couch and Yorkshire fog that would otherwise disfigure the overall look of your new lawn. Remember this is the only time that you can easily get rid of these weed grasses from a lawn, so if you want a fine grass finish, do the weedkilling right now.
After leaving the area treated with these weedkillers for a couple of weeks to allow the roots to be killed off, it’s time to level the surface and improve the soil structure. Adding a good dressing of EverGreen Enriched Lawn Soil to your existing soil will lighten the structure and provide a fair amount of lawn food for a thicker, greener lawn. You can also use this lawn dressing to fill in hollows and repair bare patches on an existing lawn.
To ensure the soil doesn’t settle with bumps and hollows, firm the soil by shuffling over the whole area and then rake to create a completely level surface. It’s now time to select your grass seed mixture to suit your needs and those of your family. You can find EverGreen grass seed for shady areas, tough play areas, front lawn fine areas and for multi-purpose use. Any will provide a great looking lawn because they contain a mixture of the right types of grasses for your chosen area. If you don’t have any special needs in mind plump for Miracle-Gro All Purpose Grass Seed because it is free from any agricultural grasses and enriched with Miracle-Plant Food to give you a thicker, greener lawn in days. The extra food will help the grass develop a great root system and provide nutrients to ensure a quick establishment of your new lawn.
If an established lawn is looking thin and contains small bare patches it’s a good idea to over-seed the area with the same product to provide thousands of fine new grass plants. In optimum conditions you can see visible results in just 5 days. By applying Miracle-Gro All Purpose Grass Seed you will help to fill in the gaps between grasses and provide extra nutrients so that your existing lawn will have more vigour and thus turn greener and produce new side shoots.
Topical Tip
If you haven’t fed your lawn in the last couple of months, treat the area with EverGreen Autumn 2 in 1 to green up the grass and kill off any moss patches that have developed now that the weather has turned much wetter.
Tomatoes were badly affected by blight where grown on allotments close to potatoes. But luckily those grown in small batches in enclosed suburban gardens have fared much better, especially those grown in growing bags on a sunny patio or inside a greenhouse or conservatory.
However cold weather and frosts will soon put paid to any further growth and it’s time to pick off any green or ripe tomatoes for the last time this year. The fruits can be ripened on a windowsill or made into delicious chutney. Cut back the stems of the tomato plants to ground level and donate the stem growth and foliage to the council compost heap. You can then allow the compost in your growing bags to dry out ready to be used for storage of other home-grown crops.
Before the first frost cut and dry off any butternut squash or marrows for winter storage. If the skins are hard they can be placed directly in a frost-free garage or shed. But if not they need a few days indoors on a sunny windowsill to mature.
Finish harvesting carrots and potatoes so as to minimise damage from underground pests including slugs, snails and eelworms. Wash the crops, allow to dry and check over for pest damage, only storing those that are perfect. If you have lots of carrots you can store them for many months in boxes of dry sand or the dry compost from finished growing bags.
Keep an eye on brassica plants for late attacks of aphids, whitefly, and caterpillars and be ready to protect the plants by spraying with BugClear Gun! for Fruit & Veg as soon as they any are spotted. Remove any yellowing or decaying leaves from vegetables to improve air circulation.
Continue to pick apples as they ripen and finish picking the last of the autumn raspberries from this year’s canes. Instead of taking out these fruited canes completely, just cut them down to half their length so that they produce an early summer picking next year.
Topical Tip
Sow broad beans Aquadulce in October to provide a very early crop next spring.Garlic cloves can also be planted now so that they are fully ripe for mid summer.
However cold weather and frosts will soon put paid to any further growth and it’s time to pick off any green or ripe tomatoes for the last time this year. The fruits can be ripened on a windowsill or made into delicious chutney. Cut back the stems of the tomato plants to ground level and donate the stem growth and foliage to the council compost heap. You can then allow the compost in your growing bags to dry out ready to be used for storage of other home-grown crops.
Before the first frost cut and dry off any butternut squash or marrows for winter storage. If the skins are hard they can be placed directly in a frost-free garage or shed. But if not they need a few days indoors on a sunny windowsill to mature.
Finish harvesting carrots and potatoes so as to minimise damage from underground pests including slugs, snails and eelworms. Wash the crops, allow to dry and check over for pest damage, only storing those that are perfect. If you have lots of carrots you can store them for many months in boxes of dry sand or the dry compost from finished growing bags.
Keep an eye on brassica plants for late attacks of aphids, whitefly, and caterpillars and be ready to protect the plants by spraying with BugClear Gun! for Fruit & Veg as soon as they any are spotted. Remove any yellowing or decaying leaves from vegetables to improve air circulation.
Continue to pick apples as they ripen and finish picking the last of the autumn raspberries from this year’s canes. Instead of taking out these fruited canes completely, just cut them down to half their length so that they produce an early summer picking next year.
Topical Tip
Sow broad beans Aquadulce in October to provide a very early crop next spring.Garlic cloves can also be planted now so that they are fully ripe for mid summer.
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