Gardening tips

Flowers

Start to lift dahlia tubers, begonia tubers and gladioli corms to protect them during winter:
Remove any dead foliage from the plants.
Lift the plants from the ground.
Store the plants in a safe, dry place for the winter months.
Sow wallflowers alongside your daffodil bulbs to create an attractive border display for spring.
Sedums and Asters are a brilliant source of pollen and nectar at this time of year for bees.
Plant peonies this month as well, and established peony plants should be pruned shortly after the first frost.

Plant up onion and garlic crops.
Be sure to harvest your pumpkins and squashes before the first frosts.
Cut back any yellowing asparagus foliage to within 5cm of the ground.
Finish planting onion and garlic sets.
Plant up salad leaves, remembering you may need to protect them with fleece or cloche as we draw nearer to winter.

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!
For citrus trees, move them indoors to a bright, frost-free location (between 4-12°C). Keep them away from cold draughts and radiators. In winter, reduce watering but be mindful not to let the tree dry out completely.
For rhubarb, divide congested clumps by digging up the plant and splitting it into several pieces with a spade. Replant only the healthiest pieces to ensure optimum growth.

Leave seedheads in place for birds to feed on.
Make a leaf pile for ground feeding birds.
Consider if you can establish apple, holly or hawthorn trees to feed wildlife over winter.
Birds can make excellent allies for gardeners, as they can help keep pests under control. By investing in bird baths and feeders, you can attract birds to your garden and enjoy their company while they help protect your plants.

Before bringing any plants inside, check for pests such as aphids.
To prevent the spread of fungal diseases, continue to remove any fallen or dead plant material from the growing area.
Remove any diseased fruits from branches or the ground to prevent infection in next year’s crops.
Protect apple trees from winter moth females by wrapping grease bands around their trunks to trap the pests.
Allow birds to catch and eat any pests lurking in fruit cages by removing the netting.

Put netting across ponds to stop autumn leaves falling in and rotting.
Frogs and Toads will be looking for new places to hibernate such as compost heaps and damp shady spots.

Regularly remove fallen leaves to enable the grass to receive adequate sunlight.
Aerate the lawn with a fork to prepare it for the winter.
Birds will use long lawns like feeding tables over the winter so consider a no mow October.

Bring any houseplants that you moved outside over summer back indoors, before temperatures start to drop.
If any of your house plants have become top-heavy or pot-bound, consider repotting them into larger containers.
Large-leaved house plants can be taken outside and hosed down to remove accumulated dust.