Well we are still getting rain as I write this so gutters filled with autumn leaves will be overflowing, seed ripening and produce harvesting will be put on hold until hopefully a stretch of baking autumn weather. April into early May offer us the last mild pleasureable days to be working in gardens before we slip into winter. BUT until then, light hedge trimming, cutting back of all that has finished flowering, clearing gardens and pots of summer annuals to allow replanting, dressing cleared gardens with compost / mulch, and yes all those leaves need to be raked, composted, leaf mulch started or burnt......sorry to point out such a list of to do's.
Cuttings: Growth starts slowing as days shorten, tree and shrub wood begins to harden as seeds are produced and ripen. Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken from this year's growth, woody at the base and soft at the tip. I have taken cuttings from buddleia, fuchsia, lavender, hebe, geranium, pelargonium, felicia daisy, salvia, rosemary, sage and lemon verbena. Take cuttings at a node, where a leaf is on the stem of a plant, because this is where most of the plant's natural hormones are concentrated. Depending on the plant, make cuttings approx 10 -15cm long. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and also reduce some top leaves and reduce those left by half. I push cuttings into river sand,
moist river sand stays tight around cuttings until roots develop. Cuttings can stay outside in a protected, semi shaded position with good overhead light.
Seed raising: Winter and spring annuals will successfully germinate now before days become colder and shorter. Sow into trays of potting mix with a layer of seed raising mix on top. Place sown seed trays in a well lit protected place outside, Once germinated pot on into punnets before seedlings become leggy and cover with a layer of frost cloth to get them through winter. Germinating for me are pansies, violas, primula malacoides and wall flowers.
Peony roses do not have to be divided every year, if clumps have not been producing as many flowers as usual then that is a sign to divide. Once finished flowering cut back the dead stalks and leaves and destroy, if left near new growth diseases will be passed on. If a clump does need divideding now is the time.
Bulbs: Only feed bulbs and plants that are due to flower now, all other plants will be slowing their growth right down to sleep through winter. Don't waste good fertiliser on plants that won't use it. Move all spring flowering plants in pots into a sunny spot now, plants like camellia, azaleas and rhododendrons that have been tucked away in a shady spot over the hot months. If shrubs were fed with acid fertiliser when they finished flowering, they should be fine. If not, give them a little and water in well to give them a boost.
Compost: Damp compost heaps after the rain still have time to build up heat now until the very coldest months. Layer leaves on compost along with animal manure, soft garden waste, un-sprayed grass clippings and left over compost from your last lot.
Lawns will have enjoyed the rain, let's hope it drowned the grass grub! If grubs are a problem in your lawns, (birds hunting them will let you know you have a problem) you have until the end of May to treat lawns for grass grub, after May they stop feeding and burrow deep.
Grass seed sown now should strike but once frosts start you will need to wait for a spring sowing.
Fruit: If you have laden apple trees, pick as many as you need and store in a cool dry place and leave the rest for birds. Quince paste with cheese and quince added to apple jelly is a wonderful taste from the past.
Vegetables: Time to clear and add compost to veg gardens for replanting beetroot, spinach, and all brassica. Sow seeds of carrots, swedes and broad beans. The ground is still warm and perfect for getting seeds and seedlings well on their way before the frosts cool things down.
Concept Garden Design: Now that I am not maintaining the big garden I am putting more time into Garden Design. If in need of direction in this area I can help with a concept design for existing gardens or new builds. Contact me on 0274430256 and I will explain what I offer. Cheers, Linda.
Concept Landscape before
Concept landscape ideas after
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