OCTOBER IN THE GARDEN

Autumn is here but no Indian summer yet. Time to go through the borders again and see which perennials still need splitting. Cut down any plants affected by mildew and collect the rose leaves that have fallen and have black-spot, also collect up the fallen rose petals all these can go on the bonfire not the compost heap. The hanging baskets that are looking sad should be taken down now and if you haven’t taken cuttings of the contents for next year there is still time  - just. 
  
Buy tulip bulbs now and keep them cool until planting time next month, as with all bulbs choose the largest. If not already done buy spring flowering bulbs again choosing the largest. Plant prepared hyacinths in bowls for Christmas, be careful when handling these bulbs because an allergic reaction can occur, I always put my hands in plastic bags if in a garden centre and wear surgical gloves when planting them.

The asters in my garden look wonderful at this time of year and the red schizostylis is a mass of colour, it’s also known as the Kaffir lily, it comes from South Africa. A couple of years ago we planted two spindle bushes, Euonymus europaeus for the autumn colour of their berries this year is truly rewarding and there is a mass of red fruit with orange seeds, the birds will love them, this is a native bush so should do well in most gardens. When the birds have eaten the berries it might be an idea to spray the spindle bushes against black fly as it is a place where they over winter.

Rake fallen leaves from the grass and aerate and scarify the lawn. Patch up bare patches with new turf and lay new lawns now. Dig over the vegetable garden as it is cleared and incorporate manure into the area. The inside of the greenhouse will need cleaning then check the heater or install bubble wrap for insulation.

Clean out the bird nesting boxes and erect new ones if you have room. Also give the birdbath a good scrub and keep filled with water. Bird feeders can go out, I have kept one out all summer but have only had a few visitors. The RSPB are running a national Feed the Birds Day on 25th and 26th October.  Please try to keep an area of long grass for the insects to shelter. 

Two good places to visit at this time of year are Stocktonbury Gardens, near Leominster. We had a superb lunch there and coffee and cake in the afternoon was also very good. The other garden for a fantastic display of  Michaelmas Daisies (asters) is Picton’s Nursery, at Colwall near Malvern.

Special Event
RHS/NCCPG
'Ron Sidwell' Lecture
Tuesday 14th October 2008
7.30 pm in Franks Parkinson Hall,
Pershore College.
"From Chelsea to Cinncinnati"
with Medwyn Williams, Champion Vegetable Grower, who will share his medal winning experiences.
£7 RHS/NCCPG members
£8.50 non-members
For tickets and further information, please ring the RHS Centre at Pershore College on
01386 554609 or email: jpearson@warkscol.ac.uk