WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH?

It’s seems autumn is lasting longer these days but it is definitely getting colder and the garden is starting to look a little bedraggled. Heavy rain showers, sharp frosts and even dustings of snow remind us winter is on its way. There is still time to add a few bulbs or harvest the last of the crops before heading inside to the warmth and planning for next year. Here are some things to get your garden ready for next year..

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General Maintenance

1. Rake fallen leaves off your lawn so that the winter sunlight can reach the grass. Clear any fallen leaves from flower beds as they can shelter the slugs and snails.

2. Raise your pots onto feet to prevent the drain hole clogging or freezing.

3. Don’t forget to wrap larger pots in hessian or bubble-wrap to protect from freezing.

4. It’s possibly your last chance to wrap insulation around outside taps and pipes before any seriously cold nights. It’s worth thinking about turning off water supplies to outside taps if you can.

5. If you have trees that are staked check that the posts are in firm and ties are nice and secure to cope with any winter winds.

6. Top up bird feeders regularly and keep bird baths de-frosted so that our feathered friends have access to fresh water.

7. Clean and store away your garden tools ready for next year. Now’s the time to get shears, mower blades and secateurs sharpened.

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Flowers & Shrubs

1. If the ground is not too wet or frozen, you can plant hedging shrubs and roses but get these done as soon as possible before the ground freezes.

2. Shrubs you can plant that are good for winter colour are Christmas Box (Sarcococca) and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) to name a couple.

3. Prune climbing roses, removing any dead wood, tying in any new shoots and cutting back the flowered side shoots by two-thirds of their length.

4. You can still plant spring bulbs like Daffodils, Crocuses and Tulips if the ground hasn’t yet frozen.

5. It’s time to dig up your Dahlia tubers ready for storing. Cut off the stems, rinse off any soil and leave them to dry. Once dried place in trays filled with dry compost or sand and store them in a cool dry place to over-winter.

 

Fruit & Vegetables

1. Sprouts and winter cabbage should be ready to harvest this month.

2. Wait until after the first frosts to harvest parsnips and this helps make them sweeter.

3. Lift and divide large clumps of rhubarb to rejuvenate the plants. Make sure each new plant has an ‘eye’ or large bud to provide next year’s shoots.

  

With another year over it’s time to plan for next year. Think about all the plants and crops that thrived and those that struggled. Remember the gaps that need filling and what looked good when. Is there a time of the year when your garden needs a little extra help or does something need moving? Now is the time to get your plan ready for next year’s displays of colour and plentiful harvest. If you find you need fleece, pot feet or anything else for the garden come and see us at Thorp Perrow Garden Centre and see how we can help. We look forward to seeing you. 

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