John’s September jobs for the garden…

Many assume spring is the best time to plant and get the garden ready, when traditionally, back in the day, Autumn was actually the season to do this. Making your gardening plans and preparations well in advance will favour you immensely in spring. Right now, the soil is warm, workable and a lot drier. Soon, moisture and rainfall will gradually increase, helping new hardy plants settle in. This is favoured by the plants, over the sharp incline of wet to dry they can often experience in Spring. Plus, many of the changes you wish to make with your planting are fresh in your mind now, whilst things are still in bloom, vs coming back to it next year when things have died down over winter. We think Autumn is one of the most important times in the garden.

Here’s what you can do this month…

• Plan spring bulb displays - Whether it be pots of Tulips and Daffodils, or swathes of Alliums through a flowerbed.

• Plant spring bulbs - There’s a huge range available at Holden Clough right now, where you can pick and mix your own.

• Divide and replant perennials - Cut them back, split and replant with rotted organic matter mixed into the soil.

• Autumn and winter bedding brings colour throughout the coming seasons, perfect for pots, baskets and containers.

• Trim topiary into shape if you haven’t done so already, apply feed.

• Plant hardy plants in gaps in your borders and flowerbeds. They’ll then establish their roots and come back bigger next year.

• Harvest fruit from fruit trees, bushes and brambles - Freeze any surplus and enjoy turning them into jams, crumbles and fruit pies.

• Prune apples and pears - Taking their long shoots back to 3 buds, to encourage compact growth.

• Feed fruit trees and bushes - With sulphate of potash to encourage flowering next year.

• Cut and dry hydrangea blooms - Hang them upside down, out of direct sunlight and then use them in displays in the home.