Raise your containers
As winter gets closer and the days grow shorter, most gardeners think about how to protect their delicate plants. But it’s just as important to look after your container plants. If you leave pots sitting directly on patios or the…
October is prime time for spring bulbs
October is an important month for gardeners who want spring colour. As the air cools and the ground is still easy to work, this is the best time to plant most spring bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, alliums, and hyacinths. Planting…
Watching the garden’s autumnal transition
Right now, my garden is putting on its most beautiful and understated show as autumn settles in. Summer’s energy has faded, replaced by deep reds, yellows and oranges. The Acer stands out, its leaves turning brilliant crimson red before they…
Plant out biennial foxgloves for beautiful displays next year
Although October often seems like the end of the gardening season, it’s actually the perfect time to plant out biennial foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea). Planting them now gives their roots a chance to settle in before winter sets in. This early…
Embrace a more relaxed attitude to tidying the garden
October brings a different set of tasks for the easy-care gardener, but the principle of supporting wildlife remains. As the last of the autumn flowers fade, it’s tempting to tidy up your borders and cut everything back. However, for a…
Brighten up borders with winter pansies
As summer’s colours fade and days shorten, it’s easy to miss the bright borders in your garden. October is ideal for adding colour back with winter-flowering pansies. These tough plants keep your garden lively through the cold months and often…
October is the perfect time to build your raised garden beds.
As autumn arrives, October brings a great, often overlooked chance to get ahead for next year by building your raised garden beds. While this project is typically completed in the spring, there are several reasons why autumn offers unique advantages….
The art of storing apples
Autumn brings with it a glorious abundance of apples, and after the satisfaction of harvesting, the next natural step is to ensure that this delicious bounty lasts as long as possible. It truly is worth taking the trouble to store…
Leave the seed heads for wildlife
As we slip into October, the way we look at our gardens changes. It’s no longer about maintenance; it’s all about getting ready for winter. I know the feeling – the urge to grab the shears for one final autumn…
Plant out Sugar Rush wallflowers
October is the perfect time to plant biennial wallflowers (Erysimum). The ‘Sugar Rush’ variety offers longer-lasting colour than traditional wallflowers. Instead of waiting until spring, these cultivars bloom soon after planting. Their blooms last through autumn, winter, and the following…