As I write, autumn is finally upon us; what a change in weather we have experienced over the last week.
Although there is still much sun it is hard to believe how cold it is. Last Saturday morning, whilst away on a walking weekend, we were able to eat breakfast outside and had beautiful warmth and sun for walking and yet this morning, only a few days later there is a heavy frost. It is a reminder that tender plants need to be protected before they are killed. I still have Salvias, Pelargoniums, Fuchsias and other tender plants in pots; these will be brought into the greenhouse for the winter, cut back next spring and probably repotted in fresh compost. I do not heat the greenhouse further than 4°C – just enough to stop plants freezing. Heating any higher produces scary electricity bills! At these low temperatures it is important to reduce watering to a minimum as the combination of cold and wet is often lethal to tender plants. I am preparing to allow my Dahlias to stay in the ground over the winter which is daring as over the last two years the cold has killed all of them, but I am ever the optimist about plant survival. Adding a layer of compost or bark mulch around them will help protect their vulnerable fleshy roots.
In the vegetable garden I am almost relieved to see that the French beans, which have been so prolific this summer, have succumbed to the frost. The parsnips will be all the sweeter for the frost and it is time to harvest the last of the carrots; I tend to find that slugs are rather partial to carrots and I object to sharing. The autumn raspberries are drawing to a close, but I enjoyed a few on my cereal this morning. Courgettes have also been damaged, but in all honesty, they were not looking good before having developed widespread mildew with the result that the leaves were totally grey.
Now I face the garden clear up which I tend to carry out gradually all winter otherwise I simply run out of time in the spring when everything is developing at great speed. I start with those plants that do not provide good seed pickings for hungry birds and appear mushy. Those plants which have a good winter shape such as Sedums I will leave until much later, although I do have to cut them back before the miniature daffodils next to them appear in February. As herbaceous plants die back and deciduous shrubs lose their leaves it is a good time to tackle any weed problems which threaten to get out of control. Nettles, thistles and other perennial weeds are much easier to spot now as they tend to keep their brighter colouring. I usually spray these with glyphosate, but repeated digging will eventually weaken and kill them. As far as annual weeds go it is very important (and easier said than done) to prevent any seeding; keep vigilant over the winter as some weeds will flower and set seed even during winter.
If you haven’t already done so, plant any remaining spring bulbs and plant tulips now it is November and the risk of disease lessens.
All these activities will remind you that the year is coming to an end, but I find it more encouraging to think of autumn as a time of renewal and a chance to start again and do better than in the year just ending. It won’t be long before the first bulbs start to flower and, with a little effort, you can convince yourself it is spring!
Liz Moyses
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wednesday 14th December
Great Haseley Village Hall 7.30pm. Non-members £5
Robert Jacobs from Waterperry Gardens will be giving an inspirational talk about the design and maintenance of herbaceous borders with particular reference to the famous border at Waterperry.
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