Still moisture in the ground from the last rain shrubs and conifers an be planted now to get their roots started. there is time for them to harden off in readiness to take them through the winter without too much damage.
Take the trouble to find out each plants preference for soil and shelter. Remember some shrubs grow really fast, pick the right spot that will allow for shrubs to grow full size horizontally and vertically . While shrubs are small gaps can be filled with annuals or perennials like lupines, hellebore's or forget-me-not. which can be dug out as shrubs need more space.
The cold snap we had reminds me that the frosts will not be far off, although I feel our seasons are getting later so I am hoping autumn weather will go on for a lot longer yet, as long as the night temperature is not less than 10 degrees at night things will continue growing and germinating so keep planting seeds and get them well under way before the colder nights.
I have had the weed spray out again this week, I like to zap them when they are small and I have dealt to the couch grass which is showing its self through the pea straw cover I have had my eye on it and was waiting until it became long enough to spray. This grass cannot be ignored because it spreads really fast under mulch and weed mat and will pop up all over the garden.
Most gladioli have have finished flowering now and can be lifted, although I saw some still flowering this week .Remove leaves once they have dried off and store in paper bags (never plastic). in all but the coldest areas it is ok to leave them in the ground provided the site is well drained. if superior blooms are required for showing then it is best to lift them and dust them with protective powder. The blooms will always do better if lifted.
Keep collecting ripe seeds for sowing in spring, seeds like cosmos, sunflowers, lupins, marigold, poppies any flower you like which has gone to seed and pot up seedlings you find around your garden, I have an amazing amount of young seedlings of lavender, pansies, primula, hollyhock, foxglove popping up of
Stop dis budding chrysanthemums now, they will be doing their thing soon bringing wonderful colour to gardens.
Pick apples and pears now, pears especially need to be picked while still firm and as soon as they come away easily when pulled, they ripen well inside.
Keep feeding & watering cropping trees and citrus, blood & bone is fine for this and mulching will help keep moisture there.
Grapes need to reach their full sweetness while on the vine, but they will need protection from birds.
Winter veg in cooler areas should be encouraged to grow vigorously while the soil is still warm by mulching, generous watering and liquid feeding late beans con go on producing. Keep an eye on pumpkins which will need frost cloth at the first sign of frost if still not ready.
Cheers, Linda
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