Gardening tips

Flowers

• Plant up bulbs such as tulips and lilies for next years display.
• Lift any dahlia tubers if you haven’t already – they will be ok until the first frosts.
• Give your roses a light prune to protect them from wind rock.

Veg

• You’ll still be able to plant brassicas, kale and leeks this month.
• Cover brassicas with netting to protect them from birds.

Fruit

• Plant bare root fruit trees and shrubs now, with the soil still warm and with more moisture in it, it’s the perfect opportunity to increase the varieties you have. Apples and currants are our favourite varieties at this time of year which are a fraction of potted prices!

Wild bird care

• Top up feeders to attract winter birds.
• Keep the bird table clean to detract any pests or algae.

Pest control

• Check for slugs under pots as the weather turns wetter.

Pond

• Remove dead foliage.
• Keep the netting free from fallen leaves.

Lawn

• Rake up fallen leaves.
• Be careful to walk across a frosty lawn – the brittle grass will become damaged and cause brown footprints which are hard to fix.
• Lay turf for a new lawn if the weather permits.

Houseplants

• Reduce watering and feeding of houseplants as the days get shorter.
• Group houseplants together to create a microclimate for them to adjust to the changing temperatures.