It’s important to get your garden in the best shape as the warmer weather draws to a close and autumn approaches – and the experts have shared their top tips
Gardeners will begin planning to introduce autumnal hues to their outdoor spaces(Image: Betsie Van der Meer via Getty Images)
As September arrives and autumn approaches, it’s crucial to prepare our gardens for the transition as the warmer months come to an end. While summer blooms may continue to flourish, gardeners must begin planning to introduce autumnal hues to their outdoor spaces.
This is also the perfect opportunity to prepare bulbs and spring-flowering biennials for the following year. For those uncertain about where to begin, Lucie Bradley from garden specialists Two Wests and Elliott offers guidance on which tasks should take priority this month.
1. Plant maintenance
“Take care of your hanging baskets, tubs, containers, and border plants,” Lucie said. “Maintaining them encourages them to flower for longer and keeps your gardening looking lush when there’s still a hint of summer around.”
She added deadheading plants such as dahlias, delphiniums, and roses with “sharp snips” will encourage a “prolonged display”.
She also recommends hydrating your plants, paying close attention to tubs and baskets and focusing on watering the soil rather than plants themselves.
“To prevent water from evaporating by the sun, water plants when it is cooler, ideally in the early morning or late evening,” she explains.
“Invest in an automatic watering system controlled by a water timer to make things easier. Alternatively, a hose pipe will do the job as well.”
2. Think about perennialsContent cannot be displayed without consent
Next, Lucie suggests you should “divide up clumps of perennials in your garden” throughout September and October.
“Dividing perennial plants (every 2 or 3 years) is a great way to help plants remain healthy, as it encourages vigorous growth,” she continued.
Lucie explains that if plants have bloomed before June 21st (the longest day of the year), the following can be split in autumn: Coneflowers, Daylilies, Delphiniums, Hardy Geraniums, Hostas, Primulas and Salvia.
However, she warns: “Divide perennials when the soil is dry enough to work in. If we have a wet September/October, this will have to be delayed until next spring.”
The splitting task should be completed in four stages. First, dig up the entire plant.
Then, shake off as much loose soil as possible. Next, place on your ground sheet, ready to divide.
Some plants (hostas) can be divided using your hands to tease the root structure apart.
“If the roots are more solid or woodier (i.e. delphiniums), use a sharp-edged tool to cut through the roots. Use either a traditional ‘half moon’ lawn edger, a sharp-edged spade, or a sharp saw,” Lucie explains.
3. Organise
Hardy Chrysanthemums are well suited for hanging baskets(Image: Getty)
Lucie says now is the perfect moment to begin organising and planting fresh autumn/winter hanging baskets and containers ready for a stunning display of autumn colour.
“Look for plants that are well suited to smaller spaces and cooler temperatures,” she recommends.
These comprise of: Hardy Chrysanthemums for hanging baskets, opt for miniature cultivars, Hardy Cyclamen for their vibrant green foliage, slender stems and striking flowers (white, pink and red), Primroses for confined areas, and Winter Heathers to introduce colour and texture to your display.
4. Think about the upcoming seasons
It’s also already the moment to begin preparing for early spring, Lucie emphasises.
“Depending on which part of the UK you live in and what you are sowing, the weather can affect whether you can sow hardy annuals directly into the ground or start them off in a greenhouse or cold frame,” she said.
And according to the gardening expert, those hardy annuals that can typically be sown straight into your plot are as follows: Calendula/Pot Marigolds, Candytuft, Cerinthe/Honeywort, Clary, Cornflowers/Scabiosa, Eschscholzia/California Poppy, Larkspur, Love-In-This-Mist/Nigella, Lupin and Salvia.
Lucie concluded her guidance by adding: “Success at sowing directly into the ground is very weather-dependent, but it does result in big, strong plants in spring that have developed a healthy root system. Use garden fleece or cloches to protect plants from cold weather spells.
“Hardy annuals can be protected with high-grade, UV-stabilised Bell Cloches. They have instant weather (and pest) protection and allow maximum light to reach your plants when the weather suddenly turns frosty.”
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