Gardening: Will-she won't-she weather means be on guard in the garden

In the Garden

The ‘will she, won’t she’ characteristics of precocious autumnal weather have been playing havoc with our gardening plans. One week it’s the lawn needing a cut, the next were waiting for the ground to dry out.

The good thing is that we definitely know its autumn on all fronts now we’re into mid-October. This means herbaceous plants of all types can be planted now its rained yet still mild.

Every three years the mixed border needs some renovation thanks to being a victim of your own success, one of life’s great ironies. Perennials in particular can turn into triffids and need separating.

Some gardeners I know completely clear their borders and start again, lifting out every plant, leaving the root ball intact, double digging all over and adding well rotted manure. A trench can be dug in larger borders in which to throw dead tops, annual weeds and leaves. After separating the monsters and giving some away to grateful friends, replant according to a prepared plan placing larger ones at the back (or centre if its a circular bed), Slender leaved plants like Crocosmia and Iris offer some context to more bushy oval leaved varieties. Lavender and sage with their grey, silver leaves can add a change of colour to the winter borders too.

Whilst peonies dislike being moved, if they are too big and taking over they can be divided making certain there are at last four ‘eyes’ to each clump. Replant immediately in moist soil. They will take a year to establish and they will miss flowering next year but should be back on track the year after. A small price to pay for additional beautiful plants Id say.

Spring bulbs can continue to be put in. Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocuses, Snowdrops, Fritillaries and particularly Lillies need to go in now. Planting these can be a gradual task as opposed to facing a mountain of bulbs and only planting half of them correctly because you’ve had enough.

On the Plot

When it’s time to cut down pea and bean structures don’t forget to collect the seed from them and save it for subsequent years. Around five years ago I had a panic and collected far too many Borlotti beans for drying. Fortunately they’re still good enough to plant out every year saving me a few quid at the same time. I often think if gardeners were more organised and collaborative there would be no need for a seed industry.

I’ve been saving grass cutting and dead leaves in equal measure in a large builders dumpy bag to use as mulch for the beds. Ive put the leaves through the mower to make them smaller and compost quicker. The results look like what might be called ‘fresh compost’. This will keep nutrients locked in and I anticipate with the warmer conditions that we’re now experiencing I might have a lot more grass clippings to add as the year comes to a close.

Before the skeleton of the garden disappears, or is removed, it’s a good idea to take pictures of where everything is when planning time for next year comes around. At some point in January, you might be at a loose end sat in front of the fire with a mug of tea having forgotten where everything was.

Gather all fruit as soon as it ripens. Apples are ready now and only need a quarter turn in the hand to check ripeness. If they come off at any point in this admittedly not very technical procedure then they re ready for a pie at least.

Now the days are shorter its tempting to withdraw into the house but there is much pleasure to be had in the garden at this time of year. It’s easy to dig deeper if you need to and the temperatures have so far not even required a fleece to be donned.

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