Jackie's Tips

MONTH OF OCTOBER
· Now is the
time to plan and plant your spring bulbs – Daffodils first in September and
October, followed with the tulips in November.
·
Some of the plants that
can be planted in October are Winter Pansies, Violas, Bellis Daisy,
Wallflowers, primrose, and polyanthus.
· Prune up
rambling roses once they have finished flowering and tie them back before
autumn weather causes damages.
· Collect and
save any seeds from plants you love and want in your garden next year. Dry them
and store them in paper in a safe place – do not forget to label each bag
remembering each plant.
· Remove any
netting from fruit cages to allow birds to eat any insects crawling amongst
them.
· Make sure all
diseased fruits are disposed of, so they do not infect next year’s crops.
· Before the
frosts bite bring tender plants under glass. Hard-hardy plants, chilli plants,
citrus fruits, olive tree, tender herbs, and any tender exotics.
· Harvesting
cabbages, leave the root in the ground making a cut across the stem to
encourage a flush of smaller leaves.
· If you are
planning to grow beans and peas next year, prepare the site by digging up
trenches and filling with manure or kitchen waste.
·
Plant
winter onion sets, shallots, garlic in a sunny well drain spot, for a good
harvest next year. An ideal variety of broad beans for this time of year are
Aquadulce Claudia.
· Any unripe
tomatoes and peppers that have fallen can ripen indoors on a paper bag together
with a banana or an apple!
· Harvest
pumpkins and squashes before the frosts and make sure your pumpkins ready in
time for Halloween.
· Wrap grease
bands around apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees to trap the crawling female
winter moth.
· Put any reused
compost from pots on display as a mulch on your garden.
· October is the
best time to plant hedges, edible hedging, and move trees or shrubs.
· Make a leaf
mould bin or compost heap by gathering all fallen autumn leaves from the lawn, paths,
and borders.
· Perfect time
to tidy up the garden at the beginning of autumn. Cut down perennials to 5cm
above the ground, but do not make them too tidy as attractive seed heads are
inviting to insects.
· Clear and tidy
all borders, lay bark chips or well-rotted manure to isolate plant roots
through the winter and keep weed growth in check.
· Keep weeding
through autumn – dig up any remaining weeds as they are surprisingly hardy and
remain over winter. Best removed now before the get a spring burst of life.
· A last lawn
mowing can be mane this month before leaving your lawn through the winter.
· Remove any
fallen leaves regularly on the lawn to allow light on the grass.
· Start your
bonfire with pruning’s and fallen twigs and keep them dry by covering them with
a plastic sheet for burning on the 5 November. (Remember to keep checking for
hedgehogs before lighting the bonfire)
· Place hedgehog
houses in place if not already out.
· Remember to
regular clean and refill your bird baths and clear out any bird boxes ready for
next year.
· Drain water
butts and clean out ready for winter rains to refill them.
· Your green
house should be empty now, so it’s a good time to give it a clean and prevent
it from diseases and pest over the winter.
· As the weather
starts to change clean down and cover up all garden furniture.
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