The green-fingered expert has said you should act as soon as possible
Monty Don (left) has shared this helpful advice(Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Monty Don, the beloved presenter of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, has issued a warning to all garden owners about a task that needs to be completed in November. He highlighted that brick and stone paths can become extremely slippery and hazardous during this time of year due to algae growth, especially when wet and shaded.
He explained: “At this time of year, brick and stone paths can be very slippery and dangerous. This is due to algae that grows on the surface, especially if wet and shaded, and at this time of year, they may stay wet and slippery for months.”
To combat this, he suggested people hire a key piece of equipment, if they don’t have one, and deal with it sooner rather than later. In his blog post, the presenter wrote: “The best way to reduce the slipperiness is to wash off the algae with a pressure hose (which can be hired by the day).
Monty Don publishes his advice on his monthly blog(Image: Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images)
“When this is done brush in sharpsand. If the path is brick or stone the porous surface will absorb some of the sand. A quicker -but still quite laborious – alternative is simply to work sand in with a stiff brush without the washing. Either way you have a very effective way of making a path safe without resorting to chemicals.”
Additionally, the gardening guru offered a tip for those wanting to see blooms by Christmas. He said: “Paperwhite daffodils, narcissi papyraceus, will be flowering for Christmas if you plant them at the beginning of November.”
He revealed that, in contrast to most daffodils, this particular variety originates from the Mediterranean and doesn’t require the cold or a vernalisation period to flourish. Simply place the bulbs just beneath the surface of the compost in a suitable container.
This should preferably be one with proper drainage, though an ordinary bowl will suffice if you add some charcoal to maintain soil freshness. You should ensure the compost remains moist – but avoid waterlogging it – and position the container in a warm, well-lit location.
Is your garden winter-ready?(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
He added: “The bulbs will grow strongly, and if indoors in the warmth, flower in 4 weeks. To delay and prolong flowering, keep them cool but frost-free.”
But remember, before packing your lawn-mower away for winter, ensure it’s in proper working condition. Monty Don recommended that rather than waiting until spring, you should:
Wash it down and scrape off any encrusted grassDrain any petrol from the tankCheck all screws and bolts to ensure they are properly tightenedOil the blades and all moving parts and unless it is running and cutting exceptionally well take it for a service and sharpen by a professional rather than wait until next Spring when they will be inundated
Just make sure that you put it somewhere dry and safe in the knowledge that when you need it, “it will perform properly at the first asking and throughout the next cutting season.”
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