Sunday 16 November 2014

Gardening - The Garden in October and November

We are well and truly into Autumn now and time to put the garden to bed - to a certain extent.  You can happily cut back herbaceous perennials hard to tidy up the garden, but there is no harm in leaving them as sometimes seed heads can be attractive, especially after a frost, and it gives small insects somewhere to hide.  If you cut back herbaceous geraniums sooner rather than later, they may put on new growth that will last through the winter.

Annuals can be cleared as they start to fade, and replaced with winter flowering pansies, violas, heathers and berried shrubs.  It is worth popping to the garden centre to see what is colourful now - especially berries and leaves - and fill the gaps.  Shrubs will give year round interest if they have berries as well as flowers, ideal for small gardens.  Now is a good time to plant shrubs as the autumnal warmth will settle them in before winter. 

If you have a greenhouse, clean the glass after removing all shading and give the whole structure a good wash and repair, before replacing any plants.  You will be surprised what will survive in an unheated greenhouse, and it is often worth potting up a few tender plants to see if they will last a bit longer under glass.

Lawns can be cut up until the first frost, and Ivy can be pruned.  Bulbs can still be planted, and November is the time for tulips to be planted.

While it is still warm, keep up the weeding and don't forget to water and feed pots and baskets that you have planted for the winter.


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