Tips for your garden this month

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JOBS IN THE GARDEN FOR OCTOBER

Flowers:

 For early flowers with longer stems, sow Sweet Peas this month in a cold

greenhouse or frame. Sow the seeds in pots of about 6” in diameter, sowing 10 seeds

per pot spaced out. Do not sow too deeply, about ¼ inch is about right. Water in and

protect for the possible ravages of mice damage. The seedlings produced by this

method will be ready for planting out in the Spring. Plant out Autumn bedding plants

while the soil is still reasonably warm, they will get established much quicker and

with much better results in the Spring next year. Continue to plant Spring flowering

bulbs but leave Tulips until November. Lift and divide Begonia, hardy geraniums and

Phlox this month but leave other kinds until early Spring.

Trees and Shrubs:

 Move any evergreen shrubs in October if there is a necessity to

move them for some reason. Dig around the shrub and always aim to lift the shrub

with a root ball. Cut back Buddleia, Sambucus and Lavateria by a third now to avoid

wind rock during the winter months, leave the final pruning until next Spring .If you

are intending to plant evergreen hedging plants now is the time to do it as they

establish much better if done in October. Deciduous hedging can be planted at any

time over the winter months. Plant new container grown shrubs and Trees this month

but leave the planting of any sun loving shrubs such as Ceanothus, Cistus and

Lavender until next April.

Fruit and Vegetables:

Continue to harvest fruit and vegetables for storing for winter

use. Store only sound specimens using any which are imperfect in some way

immediately. Always store in a cool dry place. Apply barrier glue or grease bands to

the trunks of Apple and Pear trees to reduce the attack of the winter moth which

climbs the trunks of trees at this time of year. Sow Broad Beans at the end of October

using a winter hardy variety such as Aquadulce which is ideal of this purpose. Cut

down the stems of Asparagus as the foliage yellows and give a heavy mulching of

farmyard manure or garden compost. Plant Garlic now and also complete the planting

of over wintering Onion sets as soon as possible. Cut out the fruited canes of

Blackberries, Raspberries, Loganberries and other hybrid berries.

Trees and Shrubs :

Move any evergreen shrubs in October if there is a necessity to

move them for some reason. Dig around the shrub and always aim to lift the shrub

with a root ball. Cut back Buddleia, Sambucus and Lavateria by a third now to avoid

wind rock during the winter months, leave the final pruning until next Spring .If you

are intending to plant evergreen hedging plants now is the time to do it as they

establish much better if done in October. Deciduous hedging can be planted at any

time over the winter months. Plant new container grown shrubs and Trees this month

but leave the planting of any sun loving shrubs such as Ceanothus, Cistus and

Lavender until next April.

Fruit and Vegetables:

 Continue to harvest fruit and vegetables for storing for winter

use. Store only sound specimens using any which are imperfect in some way

immediately. Always store in a cool dry place. Apply barrier glue or grease bands to

the trunks of Apple and Pear trees to reduce the attack of the winter moth which

climbs the trunks of trees at this time of year. Sow Broad Beans at the end of October

using a winter hardy variety such as Aquadulce which is ideal of this purpose. Cut

down the stems of Asparagus as the foliage yellows and give a heavy mulching of

farmyard manure or garden compost. Plant Garlic now and also complete the planting

of over wintering Onion sets as soon as possible. Cut out the fruited canes of

Blackberries, Raspberries, Loganberries and other hybrid berries.

Lawns If not already done, spike and topdress lawns and apply an Autumn turf

fertilizer when weather conditions are right. Fallen leaves should be regularly

removed from lawns to help reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases taking hold at

this time. Now is also a good time to lay new turf as it will establish quickly before

the soil temperatures drop.

Greenhouses:

 Remove any shading material left in place as plants will need as much

light as possible from now on. Reduce the amount of water and feeding to your plants

from now on and remember to water early in the day so that excess moisture has time

to evaporate before the onset of darkness. Overhaul and check out all greenhouse