GARDENING
Make the most of your garden as days shorten
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s there anything better than the beautiful autumn colours created by our shrubs and trees getting ready for their winter sleep?
Nothing compares to the rich spectrum of reds, golds and purples. Let’s not forget the berries of pyracanthia, cotoneaster, holly and mahonia, which help to keep our birds fed. It’s a shame that wind and rain will clear away the palette of colour almost overnight. The dark, grey and damp months of autumn will still produce surprising gems. The borders will quickly become bare so instead
of pruning and removing all those striking seed heads, leave them in. Hydrangeas, tall grasses, poppies, aquilegias and sedums are not only stunning but will act as winter food for birds and a safe haven for over-wintering insects so they will be ready to feast on plant pests next season. Shorter daylight hours mean we need to make the most of our time spent in the garden or allotment plot to prepare for the next growing year.
Jobs in the garden for November Sow spinach or Swiss chard for continual “greens” throughout the winter period. Swiss chard comes in a variety of bold colours and can add bright interest in your vegetable beds.
“light” frost) prune the foliage down, dig up the tubers and clean them by washing away the soil in a bucket of water. Turn the tuber upside down and place in a tray or cardboard box to dry.
Collect fallen leaves if you have access to a ready supply. You do not need to have a special leaf mould bin just fill a bin liner, knot up and pierce. These will rot down and make a great soil improver or mulch.
Remember to tie a label round the plant – you’ll never remember which dahlia it was, trust me, I speak from experience. Cover with some cardboard and place in a frost-free shed or greenhouse.
It’s not too late to plant spring bulbs in pots for a stunning display of daffodils, tulips, or very fragrant grape hyacinths. Under plant trees with fritillaria and snow drops. After a long winter we need those first glimpses of spring and they will provide an early source of food for our pollinators.
Protect any frost tender plants particularly those in pots such as olives, ferns, cordylines.
Store dahlias/gladiolis and begonias. Once the frost has blackened the foliage (usually the first
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Bubble wrap the pot base to keep the roots nice and toasty and if necessary throw horticultural fleece over the main plant body. Autumn can be a delight in any garden so enjoy all that is on offer. By Suzi M - garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments
