September
Cynara cardunculas.
Autumn is just around the corner and let’s hope it will be better than summer. At least all the lawns are lush and green, as are the weeds of course!
Now is the time to prepare for next year. Autumn is the best time for planting because the soil is still warm and the rain gets the new plants established before winter sets in. So it’s time to think of ordering those new roses, shrubs and other plants you’d like to see in your garden next year.
Why not book a Gardeneer tidy up session to get the straggly borders weeded, tidied and pruned so that you can enjoy your garden looking just the way you like it.
Bulbs and plants
For instant colour and interest in the spring, start planting bulbs: post narcissi, anemones, crocus and snowdrops. Leave tulips till nearer Christmas. Ensure any pots have plenty of drainage material at the bottom to avoid waterlogging and the resulting rotting bulbs.
Autumn is a good time to plant or move evergreen and coniferous plants, ensuring that a good ball of undisturbed soil around the roots is retained and that they are planted no deeper than orignally. Firm them in with the heel of your foot and water not only the root but also the foliage.
Pruning
Late flowering perennials such as Michaelmas Daisies and colourful Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia) will now be flowering. Perennials that flowered earlier should be cut down and the material kept for composting.
Deadhead roses and dahlias regularly to encourage new blooms up till the first frost.
Penstemons should be pruned to half their size to stop them being blown down by winter winds. Winter damage can be pruned away next spring.
Lawns
Autumn is the ideal time to create or patch a lawn using turf. The grass will establish very quickly although frost may lift it during the winter – just firm it down if this happens.
If you’d like a new lawn or your existing lawn patched with turf, then this is the best time to get Gardeneer in to do it for you.
Plants to look for in September
Japanese Anemones, Pampas Grass, Crocosmia, Heleniums, Rosa rugosa. Hebe, Solanum crispum
Lastly, we are still laying patios and decking so you can enjoy those sunny days outside, even if the lawn has become too wet to sit on.
Book your patio now to take advantage of our “SPECIAL” Autumn rates.
