As winter draws closer, there is much to do in the garden!
Plant spring bulbs for displays in March, April and May. Give priority to daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, irises and small bulbs. Tulips can be kept back for planting later in October and even into early November.
Autumn is an ideal time to plant new shrubs and perennials.
Prune back old flowering stems on rambling roses and tie in any new shoots to the support Lift and store dahlia tubers as soon as their foliage has been blackened by the first frost Sow sweet pea seeds in pots now then keep in a cold frame or a sheltered position for winter.
Dig up gladioli corms as soon as possible and lay them out on greenhouse staging to dry before cleaning off the soil and cutting back their old foliage and flower spikes.
Bring large containers of tender perennials such as fuchsias into the shelter of the greenhouse for winter.
If you’re gardening on a budget, sow hardy annuals. These will quickly germinate and the thinned seedlings will flower earlier than spring-sown annuals.
During autumn the garden often produces more waste than you can cope with so consider investing in a shredder and additional compost bins.
Finish sowing new lawns while the soil conditions are still warm enough for grass seed to germinate. Turf can still be laid in autumn, if the soil is not too wet.
