THE smell of autumn’s in the air, so it’s time to sit down in a quiet corner of your garden, patio or outside space and reflect on the things that have worked, and haven’t worked this year.
September is a great planning and planting month so start ordering those new roses, shrubs and other plants that you need. Autumn is really the best time for planting - the soil is still warm and the seasonal rains will get plants established before winter sets in.
It's also a time when some border plants come into their own, just as the rest of your summer flower plants are past their prime.
A classic late flowerer is the pretty Japanese anemone, a favourite with gardeners, and with Gardener’s World photographer, Jason Ingram.
“Japanese anemones are extremely photogenic flowers which brighten up the garden in late-summer or autumn, producing simple saucers in white and various shades of pink,” he said.
“They are a 'must have' border plant for the autumn and put on a fantastic display in the period where most gardens are starting to look tired and over.
"I love that their beauty adds a whole new dimension of colour and texture to my garden."
Japanese anemone, also known as the windflower, can be grown in sun or shade and are good for lighting up a dark corner of the garden. They like well drained soil and often spread by themselves, creating new clumps that can be lifted and planted elsewhere.
From a garden housekeeping perspective, now is the perfect time to move or plant evergreen and coniferous plants. It’s also the best time to lay a new turf lawn. It will establish very quickly, but do keep an eye on it during the winter.
You can also sow grass seed now for a new lawn or patch up and existing one. Also, don’t forget to plant indoor hyacinth bulbs in pots now if you want a display for the end of year celebrations.
Other top tips for this month from the Royal Horticultural Society and National Garden Gift Vouchers:
• Pick autumn raspberries and harvest apples and pears
• Collect and sow seeds from garden plants
• Net ponds before leaf fall gets underway
• Continue to sow vegetables such as spinach and winter lettuce for overwintering, to mature next spring
• Keep up with watering of new plants, using rain or grey water if possible
• Start to reduce the frequency of houseplant watering
• Clean out cold frames and greenhouses so that they are ready for use in the autumn
• Cover leafy vegetable crops with bird-proof netting
• Order new fruit trees, canes and bushes
• Plant spring flowering bulbs
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