Garden Planning, Tips and Planting Advice

Garden Tips: Lawn Care

Continue to mow the lawn as long as it is growing and the weather permits.

Now is the time to sow new grass seed, with the soil being damp and warm, which is perfect for germinating. Before sowing, fork over the area and rake level. After sowing, lightly rake over and ensure the seeds are watered. Alternatively, you can turf can be laid this time of year to give it time to settle before winter.

As leaves start to fall, you should clear them from your lawn using a good rake or blow vac. This is important, as a carpet of leaves can smother grass.

Garden Tips: Pruning

Bush roses and shrub roses should be pruned in spring. However, in autumn you can lightly prune rose bushes to remove dead flowers to prevent disease. To ‘dead-head’ your roses, use secateurs.

Deciduous shrubs, for example, berberis, can also benefit from pruning in the autumn. Once they have lost their leaves, it is easier to see their shape and improve their overall look for next year.

Fruit bushes such as blackberries, red and white currants and gooseberries benefit from pruning this time of year. You should also remove any dead branches from apple, pear and cherry trees.

Garden Tips: Preparing beds

You can start to prepare vacant plots ready for planting next year. Clear away the remains of dead crops, dig over and fork in manure or compost. Apart from the usual spade and fork, you may need to consider using a rotavator.

Garden Tips: Plant or transplant

To plant, the type of equipment you will need includes:

• Trowel
• Shovel
• Rake

Garden Tips: Watering can or hose

When planting or transplanting, use compost from your compost bin, manure or purchase compost. Once you have dug a hole big enough for the plant, add 2-3in of compost or manure into the hole to feed the plant. Fill the hole with water, preferably from your water butt and let the water sink in. Place the plant in the hole and water again. Fill in the hole with soil to the top of the root ball and water again.

Examples of the type of plants you can plant in October are:

• Deciduous shrubs, for example, berberis and evergreen shrubs

Vegetables

• Cabbage
• Winter lettuce
• Onions and garlic ready for next year.

Flowers

• Spring bulbs, for example, daffodils, hyacinth and tulips, ready for next spring.
• Hardy perennials
• Spring flowering plants, for example, wallflowers, polyanthus, daisy and forget-me-nots.