General Gardening Check that greenhouse heaters are working OK Prevent ponds and stand pipes from freezing Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls) Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops Trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted Reduce watering of houseplants Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a slow release fertiliser such as bonemeal. Cut back established rose bushes to stop them from snapping in the cold and windy conditions Move delicate pots in greenhouses or wrap in bubble wrap to […]

General Gardening Clear any fallen leaves from your lawn, pond and beds Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent water logging Plant tulip bulbs for a Spring display next year Prune roses to prevent wind-rock Plant out winter bedding Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees by using grease bands around the trunks Encourage birds in to your garden by putting out bird food Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a slow release fertiliser such as bone meal. Provide Autumn and Winter interest by leaving attractive stems or seed heads […]

General Gardening Clear up fallen Autumn leaves regularly Cut back perennials that have died down Divide herbaceous perennials and rhubarb crowns Plant out Spring cabbages Harvest apples, pears and grapes Prune climbing roses Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf. This month is an ideal time to make a new lawn from turf as it unlikely to dry out Plant Winter and Spring flowering bulbs such as Daffodils, Narcissi and Crocuses should be planted in the garden or patio containers Check the supports and ties […]

General Gardening Pick Autumn raspberries Dig up any remaining potatoes before the slugs spoil them Put a net over your pond to protect from falling leaves Keep up with watering of new plants, using rain or grey water if possible Start to reduce the frequency of houseplant watering Cover leafy vegetable crops with bird-proof netting Plant Spring flowering bulbs Once faded, take out summer bedding plants and replace with spring ones such as Pansies and Wallflowers Deadhead Roses regularly Clear up any fallen leaves Begin planting your Autumn, Winter and early Spring flowering plants Empty containers of plants which are […]

General Gardening Prune Wisteria back to 6 or 7 buds on long growths Don’t delay summer pruning restricted fruits such as Fans, espaliers and cordons grown against walls and fences. Deadhead flowering plants regularly Don’t forget to water containers, and new plants. Where possible use recycled water or stored rainwater Collect seed from favourite plants Harvest summer vegetables as they become ready Cut any old canes on raspberries, once they have fruited Mow the lawn frequently. You could leave the cuttings on the lawn to provide protective moisture-retentive mulch. Raise the blades on fine lawns to help prevent scalping Deadhead […]

General Gardening Give the lawn a quick acting summer feed, especially if a spring feed was not done Give woodwork a lick of paint or preserver, while the weather is dry Mow lawn once a week. In late summer, lawn growth slows down, so raise the cutting height slightly to allow your lawn to resist wear better Feeding your lawn with fertilizer, will help to keep it in good condition For a green lawn, use a sprinkler once a week during dry weather. When watering the lawn, soak it to get the water down under the roots Containers and hanging […]

General Gardening To keep weeds to a minimum, hoe borders regularly Watering is essential. The best time to do this is in the early evening when it is cooler and when less evaporation will occur Spray roses to control pests and diseases Feed tomato plants once a week as soon as fruits have formed Harvest vegetables including lettuce, radish and early potatoes Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside Feed bedding annuals with a liquid feed Feed roses with a good granular fertiliser Stake tall or floppy plants The lawn will require cutting weekly. If you have used chemicals on […]

General Gardening Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants Earth up potatoes, and plant any still remaining Plant out summer bedding after the last frosts Collect rainwater and investigate ways to recycle water for irrigation Regularly hoe off weeds Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other Spring flowering bulbs Watch out for viburnum beetle and lily beetle grubs, if you find them use an insecticide Begin to feed houseplants using a liquid fertiliser Continue to plant trees and shrubs Mow the lawn regularly. Be careful to remove the cuttings and apply lawn feed regularly. Use a weed […]