Autumn is a time for clearing up and getting ready for the next season of growing.
Hedges need to be tidied and cut, as well as any deciduous shrubs that have developed in the wrong place.
I always look at the weather forecast and won’t prune if it’s going to be frosty. There are plenty of frost-free days ahead of us as we only seem to get a few frosts now. Having said that, we will have a real winter for a change proving me wrong!
Gladioli are better lifted and stored dry and frost-free. Dahlias also need lifting and drying off. Don’t wash them with a hose – just let the soil fall off them naturally. Turn them upside down to let any water in the stems drain out. I store my tubers in boxes all with a wired on label attached to a strong stem.
I cover them up with a dry Grobag compost. Usually the tomatoes have finished and I have stopped watering them, so this is ideal for covering the tubers up. I put slug pellets on and stack them up in the shed. Don’t forget to check early in January in case any have gone mouldy and discard these.
Autumn is also the time to plant spring bedding such as wallflowers and polyanthus and spring bulbs – although leave the tulips until November for the best results.
Don’t forget our next talk, Defensive Gardening at a time of Climate Change – by David Cropp on Wednesday, 7 October starting at 7.30pm in the Villages Hall, Broad Lane. With our weather seemingly becoming more unpredictable, it promises to be an interesting topic.
And then we’re on countdown to this year’s highlight in our programme, Chris Beardshaw on November 4. Please don’t leave it too late to get your ticket or you may find you’re disappointed! Tickets are £10 for members, £15 for non-members. With annual membership now down to just £5 a year you could do a double whammy and have the benefit of both! Email[email protected], speak to one of the committee members, or telephone me on 01386 861438 if you want one or more.
I hesitate to say this, but dare I plant a seed about our Christmas bash? As ever we’ll be holding it at the beginning of the month so it doesn’t clash with your other commitments and our traditional approach with brain-teasing quizzes and a three course menu always seems to hit the right note. Again use the contact information above if you need to register an interest.
Pete Chamberlain
Hedges need to be tidied and cut, as well as any deciduous shrubs that have developed in the wrong place.
I always look at the weather forecast and won’t prune if it’s going to be frosty. There are plenty of frost-free days ahead of us as we only seem to get a few frosts now. Having said that, we will have a real winter for a change proving me wrong!
Gladioli are better lifted and stored dry and frost-free. Dahlias also need lifting and drying off. Don’t wash them with a hose – just let the soil fall off them naturally. Turn them upside down to let any water in the stems drain out. I store my tubers in boxes all with a wired on label attached to a strong stem.
I cover them up with a dry Grobag compost. Usually the tomatoes have finished and I have stopped watering them, so this is ideal for covering the tubers up. I put slug pellets on and stack them up in the shed. Don’t forget to check early in January in case any have gone mouldy and discard these.
Autumn is also the time to plant spring bedding such as wallflowers and polyanthus and spring bulbs – although leave the tulips until November for the best results.
Don’t forget our next talk, Defensive Gardening at a time of Climate Change – by David Cropp on Wednesday, 7 October starting at 7.30pm in the Villages Hall, Broad Lane. With our weather seemingly becoming more unpredictable, it promises to be an interesting topic.
And then we’re on countdown to this year’s highlight in our programme, Chris Beardshaw on November 4. Please don’t leave it too late to get your ticket or you may find you’re disappointed! Tickets are £10 for members, £15 for non-members. With annual membership now down to just £5 a year you could do a double whammy and have the benefit of both! Email[email protected], speak to one of the committee members, or telephone me on 01386 861438 if you want one or more.
I hesitate to say this, but dare I plant a seed about our Christmas bash? As ever we’ll be holding it at the beginning of the month so it doesn’t clash with your other commitments and our traditional approach with brain-teasing quizzes and a three course menu always seems to hit the right note. Again use the contact information above if you need to register an interest.
Pete Chamberlain