October Gardening Tips and Snips
Keeping Summer Bedding Plants
During October you may be able to pot up into larger pots some of those cuttings of half-hardy bedding plants you took during august. If you planted your cuttings into trays now is the time to select the best and pot them into individual pots, throw away any that are not doing as well. It may seem wasteful but these weaker plants are likely to underperform next year. Use good quality compost in clean plant pots usually 9cm pots should be fine for these. Don’t forget to cover with fleece for protection in the cold weather.
Larger half-hardy plants such as Fuchsia, Geraniums and Osteospermums should be lifted, potted up and placed into the greenhouse for winter where with a little protection may make it through the winter. Plants should be trimmed back and any flowers and soft growth removed and cuttings can be taken.
October 2011 Tips and Snips
Treat Poorly Trees and Shrubs
October is an ideal time to spray deciduous trees and shrubs with a winter wash if they have had pest and disease problems during the year. This is especially useful if you are growing fruit trees such as apples and pears. Clear up any fallen leaves that may harbour pests and diseases and if your trees have had problem during the year it is best to put the diseased leaves on the bonfire.
Most pests will have become dormant now for winter but check your plants over for any signs of over wintering bugs or where eggs may be lurking and treat them now before they become a problem.
Plan for Next Year
After the rush of the season has finished but everything is still fresh in your mind it is an ideal time to be thinking ahead and planning the garden for next year. Think about which plants did well, which ought to be moved and which plants simply need getting rid of. You can still plant new plants now which will establish roots over the winter and grow quickly in spring time.
