I am going to add a jobs list to my blog to remind you of jobs in the garden each particular month.
October is a busy old time. We are all preparing for the winter when things calm down a bit before the full-on Spring rush again.
This year the poor garden doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going.
We have spring bulbs coming up, winter crocus flowering already and summer perennials thinking it’s still August. It’s crazy!
So where do we start?
Well, I guess by having a good old tidy up.
It’s hard to cut stuff back when it still looks pretty. But, in another two weeks we could be having frosts. So, strike now while the iron/sun is still hot!
· Cut back your perennials like geraniums, delphiniums and lupins to the ground and give them a good mulch.
· Divide clump forming perennials and replant in another position. This is a great way of gaining FREE plants, for yourself or to give away to friends.
· Take cuttings from your shrubs and perennials. Some of my favs are, Cistus, Hydrangea, Salvia, Penstemon and Verbena
· Lift Dahlia tubers, dry off and store in a cool dry location. Or, if you are keeping them in the ground, give them a good mulch to protect from frosts.
· Cut back shrubs like roses and Buddleia, transplant now if you want to move them.
· Harvest soft fruits. Also, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and chillies and dispose of the plants.
· Plant garlic and onion sets
· Move any semi hardy plants into a greenhouse or conservatory. Things like Citrus trees and pelargoniums.
· Cover garden furniture and bring outdoor cushions, outdoor solar lights, and rugs indoors to protect them from the rain.
· Make soups, jams and chutneys with any extra produce, the latter make great Christmas gifts if you can’t eat it all yourself.
· Enjoy the last of the warmth and sunshine and get outside.
Autumn is my most favourite time of the year for jobs in the garden and I love getting ready for the first frosts and “hopefully” snow.
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