Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Oct-2018 i Amateur Gardening

PREPARING small tender plants such as pelargoniums for winter is relatively straightforward. You lift and pot them, take cuttings and then consign them to a frost-free greenhouse or porch, giving them minimal care until spring. Larger exotics, such as cannas, banana plants, dahlias and some fruit trees, can pose more of a problem. There’s their size for one thing – it may not be possible or practical to move them undercover. So what do you do then? This is where horticultural fleece and bubblewrap become your key allies in the fight against winter’s cold. They are relatively cheap and long-lasting, and can be layered around plants until they give adequate insulation. On these pages, I’ll look at protecting bananas, canna lilies and dahlias, and I’ll also suggest ways of keeping…

When foliage has been blackened by the first frost, cut plants back to 2in (5cm) from the base. Carefully lift the tubers with a fork and rub off any remaining soil, before leaving them upside down to dry off for a few weeks. Bury the tubers in trays of dry soil, sand or compost, with the old flower stalks exposed. Store them somewhere cool but frost-free, such as a shed or garage.…

Staking a new tree will minimise windrock and keep the roots securely anchored. Choose a stake roughly one-third of the tree’s height, as this will keep it safe while allowing for movement against the wind, which helps strengthen the roots and trunk. Insert the stake on the side of the prevailing wind, so the tree will be blown away from it. On windy sites, insert two-three stakes around the tree and secure to the trunk with ties or crossbars. Ties should be secured in a figure-of-eight to help prevent bark chafing.…

Until Nov 30: Library Display of Codlings, Costards and Biffins: AMATEUR RHS Harlow GARDENING Carr,1 Crag SEPTEMBER Lane 2018 , Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr Oct 26-28: London Urban Garden Show: RHS Lindley Hall SW1P 2QW and RHS Lawrence Hall SW1P 2QD.RHS.org.uk Oct 29: RHS gardening Advice: RHS Harlow Carr Oct 29-Nov 18: Rethinking Repton: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall Oct 31-Nov 4: Northern Fruit Group Apple Display: RHS Harlow Carr Nov 1-18: Marion Sidebottom Tree Photography Exhibition: RHS Garden Hyde Hall Nov 1-27: Woodland Walks: RHS Garden Hyde Hall Nov 2 &3: Flower Arranging with Michael Bowyer: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor Nov 2-4: Late Fruit…

1 Worm casts are a nuisance and can ruin a lawn if trodden in, so wait until they dry and brush them off with an old-fashioned broom. 2 Rake up fallen leaves before they block sunlight from the grass and start to harbour pests and disease; use them for leafmould. 3 Scarifying lawns with a rake helps remove dead material, or ‘thatch’ and moss, allowing light, air and water to penetrate the soil. 4 As temperatures drop, take care to avoid walking on frosty lawns, as you will crush and blacken the blades of grass.…

FOR the past two years, we have successfully grown generous crops of onions and shallots (smaller onions that grow in clusters and are used for pickling). This year we also harvested a good supply of garlic, all grown in raised beds. Now it’s time to plant the next batch. I could wait until spring, but if you get your onion sets (small bulbs) in the ground now they will crop earlier than those planted next spring. Garlic can be planted from now until April, though many gardeners swear by getting their cloves in the ground before Christmas Day for the best results. Growing onions from seed sown in winter is another option worth considering. There are pros and cons to both ways of cultivation. Growing from sets is easier and…

HAVE you ever wondered why we make such efforts to clear up autumn leaves when they tend to disappear by spring? It’s true – they mostly disappear, save for those in deep piles against walls, fences or hedges. This is mainly down to worms, which pull leaves down into their burrows where they chew them to pieces. Other critters such as woodlice and earwigs may consume some, and others are utilised by bigger animals to line nests – but it’s mostly worms that dispose of leaf fall. So why can’t we leave it to them? Admittedly, they cannot do much about the leaves on solid paths and drives. However, they will clear leaves from lawns, borders and loose paths, albeit slowly. So ideally, we would let the worms do the…

1 Fill 3in (7cm) pots with seed compost and a little perlite. Dampen it with fresh tap water and make holes for the seedlings. 2 Carefully lift the seedlings from their compost without damaging their roots, steadying the plant by holding its leaves. 3 Place each seedling into its hole, burying some of the stem to help keep it stable. One pot can hold several small plantlets. 4 Gently firm the compost and grow the seedlings somewhere light and warm with good ventilation. Keep the compost moist.…

IT’S sad when a fruit tree dies, especially if it’s been struck down by a root-killing disease such as honey fungus or phytophthora. Quite often, the tree has been happily growing for decades; it’s only as its vigour declines with age that aggressive pathogens gain the upper hand and invade the root system. With such ‘soil-borne’ diseases, it’s not simply a case of digging out the old tree and replacing it with a new one. Remnants of the diseased material will remain in the soil, so replanting with a related tree runs the risk of the new planting becoming infected, too. Excavate the plant and check the roots. A strong mushroom smell and white fungal sheet under the root ‘bark’ indicates honey fungus; this often attacks apples, pears and stone…

THESE little tart fruits have a unique flavour when fully ripe – perfect when paired with elderflower, I’ve discovered. Happy in a shadier spot, they’re nifty space-fillers where other, more sugary crops would fail. There are dozens of good gooseberry varieties to choose from, both dessert and culinary; ‘Early Sulphur’ and ‘Hinnonmaki Red’ are two of my favourites. Gooseberries can be propagated by hardwood cuttings, and now is the ideal time to take them. Select healthy-looking shoots of this year’s growth, cutting lengths at least 8in (20cm). Remove soft tip growth, then insert your cutting into sunny, free-draining earth so only the top inch is above soil level. There’s no need to water them in or cover them over – it’s a cinch! They will begin rooting well come the…

IF, like me, you have suffered numerous fruit-picking injuries over the years, you’ll be excited to know that one of the most significant advances in the development of new raspberries in recent years has been the introduction of more varieties with no spines. This makes them easier to pick without pain! Summer-fruiting AGM winners with no spines are: ‘Glen Ample’, ‘Glen Magna’ (only a few spines), ‘Malling Admiral’ and ‘Tulameen’, while ‘Polka’ ( just a few spines) and ‘Joan J’ are spine-free autumn varieties.…

Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ Forming a 10ft (3m)-tall dome, this shrub has large, leathery dark-green leaves speckled with gold. Red berries sometimes appear in autumn. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ This perennial forms a 15in (38cm)-tall clump of silvery leaves with green edges and veins. It also produces sprays of tiny, blue forget-me-not-like flowers. Actinidia kolomikta Deciduous climber with scented summer flowers and 6in (15cm)-long, heart-shaped green leaves randomly splashed pink and white. It can reach 16ft (5m). Hosta ‘Patriot’ Vigorous perennial that forms a 12in (30cm) high clump of large, corrugated green leaves with irregular white margins. Plants have stems of lilac flowers in summer. Viburnum tinus ‘Variegatum’ Lovely specimen for semi-shade. Capable of reaching 8ft (2.4m), it has yellow and green leaves,…

For hedges Rosa pimpinellifolia Also known as the burnet rose and long associated with Scotland. Makes a medium-sized bush that’s covered in masses of creamy-white flowers in April-May, followed by blackish hips. Likes free-draining soil. H&S: 3ft (90cm). Rosa rugosa Features flowers made up of hot-pink petals that look like crumpled silk, arranged around golden stamens. Also has a strong rose fragrance and fat red hips resembling tomatoes. A robust, healthy plant. H&S: 2m (7ft). Rosa canina The thorny stems of the dog rose grow quickly to form an impenetrable hedge. Its fragrant white flowers are blushed pink – bees love them – while the glossy red hips add colour in autumn. Good in coastal gardens. H&S: 6 1/2ft (2m). For hips Rosa setipoda In summer the gorgeous pale-pink single…

How should I rejuvenate my poor camellia? Q My camellia has yellowing leaves even though I water it regularly. How can I restore its vitality? It is in the ground, not in a pot. Tracey Chalmers, Dunkeswell, Somerset A Yellowing leaves usually suggests a nutrient deficiency. If I tell you the conditions that are ideal for a camellia, you might be able to identify whether something is not quite right. Camellias are usually best grown in a spot with a westerly or sheltered northerly aspect, either against a wall or under trees that can provide some frost protection. They don’t like windy sites. They need a slightly acidic soil and in soil with the wrong pH the leaves tend to be small and yellow between the veins. The soil should…

AS the year begins to draw to a close and there is a feeling of crispness in the air, our expectations are of a rich display of vibrant autumn leaf colour to finish the gardening year. Although some evergreens and shrubs change colour at this time, it is deciduous trees that put on a show. They begin the process of shedding leaves in late summer, and colours develop as the trees activate plant hormones, shut down chlorophyll production and expose other pigments. Role of chlorophyll As plants grow through spring and summer, chlorophyll – which gives leaves their green colour – is constantly replaced in the leaves. Water and carbon dioxide are converted into carbohydrates and oxygen using the energy of sunlight, which is harnessed by chlorophyll in plant leaves…

ALL of us have to sweep up autumn leaves at some point. If they don’t fall from our own deciduous trees and shrubs, they blow in from neighbouring gardens or street trees. Leaving piles of them lying around looks dreadful, and they can smother and kill lawns and smaller plants. But leaves aren’t all bad. Rotting them down for leafmould or adding them to the compost bin provides a free soil conditioner for your garden. So, how do you clear them up? A rake and broom will do the job, but that’s hard work. Leaf blowers make the job much easier once you master the technique. In most cases you don’t even need to move garden furniture or pots – just blast the debris out of nooks and crannies. A…

G. x cantabrigiense ‘Rosalina’ From late spring to early summer, expect a show of lilac pink flowers over a low carpet of evergreen foliage. At 6-12in (15-30cm), this is a great edging plant. Leaves turn red-purple in autumn. G. macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’ The semi-evergreen big-root cranesbill is perfect for suppressing weeds. Expect white or pale pink blooms sitting in dark red calyces over pretty lobed leaves turning red in autumn. Reaches 16in (40cm) high. G. ‘Orion’ This cranesbill has a light, airy appearance with finely divided leaves and wiry stems of violet-blue flowers over a long period from June into autumn. Leaves turn brilliant red. Grows to 30in (75cm). G. ‘Patricia’ This sterile hybrid of G. psilostemon makes low…

Resolva Moss Killer is a ready-to-use formulation in a trigger spray that’s comfortable to handle and can be used straightaway – no dilution is required. It effectively kills moss and algae on natural and permeable surfaces such as gravel, block paving and gravel. Contains pelargonic acid. We have two 1-litre sprays to give away, each worth £5.99. See below for details of how to enter the prize draw. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Resolva Moss Killer Draw (27 October), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF. Or you can email your details to ag_giveaway@ti-media.com, heading the email Resolva Moss Killer Draw (27 October). The closing date is 2 November 2018.…

1 Using sharp, clean secateurs or shears, cut back all the foliage, leaving around 3ft (1m) of trunk still standing. 2 Give the roots some extra insulation by piling the pot full of fresh compost or clean, dry straw. 3 Wrap the whole pot in two-three layers of horticultural fleece, tying it securely with garden twine. 4 Finish with bubblewrap for extra insulation and waterproofing. Either stand the pot on feet somewhere sheltered outdoors, or move it to a frost-free greenhouse.…

1 Cut down the stems to within 2in (5cm) of the base and compost the unwanted leaves, dead flowers and stalks. 2 Lift from their soil or pots and remove any loose soil. In warmer areas, they can be overwintered undercover in their containers. 3 Place them in a tray and cover with sand, coir or vermiculite, making sure the crowns of the plants remains exposed. 4 Put them somewhere frost-free like a shed, garage or greenhouse, and make sure they are kept just moist, not too sodden.…

1 Dig a hole that is as deep as the rootball but slightly wider. Fork the sides if the soil is compacted. 2 There is no need to add compost to the hole, but mycorrhizal fungi may help roots establish better in poor soil. 3 If the shrub is pot-bound and the roots are circling the rootball, tease them out first. 4 Plant your shrub and infill with soil and compost, firming it as you go to hold it steady and remove air pockets. 5 Once in the ground, water your plant well so the soil is saturated. Keep checking and don’t let the plant dry out while it gets established.…

IT is time to start counting down the days to the final mow of the year and consider which other jobs need doing to prepare the lawn for winter and see it through the colder months. Lawns have greened up and grown since summer’s hot, dry conditions. Even so, our mower has barely been out of the shed this autumn and when it has, the blades are kept high to avoid damaging weakened grass and roughing up the soil underneath. There are other tasks to be thinking about and getting on with. The damper weather has brought forth the worms and, in their wake, worm casts. These are the little coils of soft mud and slime you find on the surface of the lawn. Don’t tread on them, as they…

ONE of the lawn grass seed specialists at a trade exhibition recently stated that an acre of grass produces enough oxygen for 64 people, and Wimbledon’s lawn tennis courts require nine tonnes of lawn seed each year! There were two messages here for me: first, we need our lawns to clean and enrich the very air we breathe and second, if Wimbledon uses all that seed, then we should be using a little to over-seed our lawns to keep them in good condition, releasing plenty of oxygen. “One acre of grass produces enough oxygen for 64 people” Most lawns took a real bashing during the summer drought, although those that had been fed early in the summer recovered much more quickly than impoverished turf once summer rain fell. My lawns…

1 Always start with cloves of ‘seed’ garlic; never use supermarket-bought cloves as they won’t grow as well and may carry disease. 2 Plant in light, fertile soil in a sheltered area. Push the cloves into the soil 4-6in (10-15cm) apart with 12in (30cm) between rows. 3 If your soil is clay or you are short of space, plant bulbs in a large, deep container filled with enriched multi-purpose compost. 4 In very cold and exposed areas, start garlic in modules and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in spring.…

1 Empty any plastic hoses, watering cans and everything else that is holding water, and put them all under cover before the hard frosts come and freeze them! 2 It’s nearly time for bonfires and fireworks so if it’s dry, hose down anything that runs the risk of catching fire – especially conifers, evergreens and bushy climbers. 3 Buy those poinsettias and Christmassy plants now and you can enjoy them for a month or more before giving them away! 4 British Summertime ends this weekend, so fit good padlocks to your shed, greenhouse and garage for the long, dark nights ahead.…

WE always expect to see a hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) at the end of October, either feeding on the red valerian (Centranthus ruber) or the late salvias. I haven’t seen one as yet this year, and perhaps I won’t, for it hasn’t been a good year for them here, despite this year’s unusually warm summer. You may be lucky, though, as hummingbird hawk-moths are very distinctive. They beat their wings 80 times per second, which enables them to hover and, if you’ve good hearing, I’m reliably informed that you can hear a humming sound, although they take their common name from the hummingbird. I always enjoy seeing these colourful creatures, and they seem to arrive in my garden at teatime so I often watch them. They are considered to be…

1 Only sound squashes will store, so you need to examine your crop and identify those with cracks or splits in the skin. Eat these up first – they’re great roasted in oil and spices with a sour cream dip, or skinned, diced, boiled in stock and blitzed as frozen soups! 2 Crack- and rot-free squashes and pumpkins can store well into May or June. First, cut the fruits from their plant. Leave a small stalk ‘handle’ as this will help to prevent rotting in the top of the fruit (this can happen if the stalk is snapped off). 3 Lay cut squashes, untouching, somewhere sunny and frost-free – on greenhouse staging or in a conservatory (or spare room windowsill) is ideal. The gentle heat from the sun will gradually…

MY parents used to grow acres of celery to sell commercially in London – I can’t tell you how many thousands of sticks I’ve cut in my 44 years! It’s not widely grown through fear that it’s difficult – but it is widely eaten, making excellent crudités and a blue-cheese soup to die for. I can confirm that it’s not tricky to grow, either – it just requires a long time to germinate, grow and bulk up. Ample moisture is important, so I always locate mine on the shadier side of the plot, adding lots of moisture-retaining compost to the soil before transplanting out the young plants in May. With this summer’s heatwave, I was a bit worried about yield, but regular dousings have ensured decent-sized sticks. I’ve sourced the…

ONE thing I have learnt from my experience of growing raspberries is that, sooner or later (and it’s often sooner than you think), they become infected with viral diseases. Some viruses are spread by aphids, others by eelworm, but your plants will succumb in the end. You may not notice the mottled and distorted foliage at first, but the reduced vigour and poor cropping will tell you it’s time to heave out your canes and burn them. Frankly, it’s not a bad thing to buy new stock every five years regardless: raspberry canes are not expensive, and most suppliers guarantee to provide virus-free plants. Always choose a new site for your new plants, to ensure you’re not planting into infected soil. Controlling aphids, which spread certain viruses, will also help…

WHILE variegated plants are generally trouble-free, they can be affected by a growth disorder known as reversion. This results in pure-green shoots appearing on plants that grow more vigorous than the two-tone parts due to a greater concentration of chlorophyll. Reversion is due to the genetic history of the variegated plant. Most derive as sports from pure-green plants, which are then propagated vegetatively by nurseries. Unfortunately, the mutations that cause variegation are not always stable, and plants can attempt to revert to their original state. Apart from leaving plants looking unsightly, green shoots are more energetic than their variegated counterparts and, if left, can eventually take over the plant. To prevent this from happening, use secateurs to snip off any green shoots at the main stem or base of the…

Choisya Apple Blossom (‘PMOORE09’) A neat and compact plant with clusters of fragrant pink-backed white flowers opening from pink buds. The blooms are set against finely cut foliage that looks more delicate than that of other choisyas. H: 4ft (1.2m). Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Sunrise’ Good news: berberis are no longer boring! Narrow and upright (but not too tall); new growth is pink, then the leaves become a rich-red with a neat golden rim before turning crimson in autumn. H: 5ft (1 ½ m). Hibiscus syriacus Starburst Chiffon (‘Rwoods6’) Flowers have white outer petals with magenta veins, plus a central cluster of white petals. Bloomed all summer for me (and still going strong). Good in large pots and sunny borders. H: 6ft (1.8m). Physocarpus opulifolius…

Q Can you tell me what has happened to my carrots? They were grown in sandy loam soil in a mesh cage. Mr F Williams, Bridgnorth, Shropshire A Some form of disease has rotted them and I suspect violet root rot (Helicobasidium purpureum). This also affects other crops, including beetroot, parsnips, potatoes, swedes and turnips, and its black spores may persist for years in the soil. There are no chemical remedies, so all you can do is grow carrots where they haven’t grown for several years and adopt a three-year crop rotation. Provided you enrich the soil with a balanced fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4, and incorporate well-rotted manure and garden compost the year before sowing, your carrots should flourish.…

‘Indian Summer’ is the name given to a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that is sunny and clear with above-normal temperatures following a period of cooler weather. It is most closely associated with autumn time, September to November in the Northern Hemisphere. The air usually has a low relative humidity due to the lack of clouds, making the daylight hours pleasantly warm. Rich leaf colour typical of an Indian summer is yellow, orange, red and purple, notably in North American trees including maples Acer rubrum, A. saccharum and A. saccharinum , and flowering dogwoods such as Cornus florida . Most Japanese maples produce vibrant colour, especially Acer japonicum. Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, Euonymus…

Leaves have already left Leaves are changing colour now. However, thanks to the hot, dry summer, it has not been the best of years for spectacular colour. Trees and shrubs were unable to build up the necessary stock of sugars in their leaves to trigger the bright colours – instead, many turned dry and crispy before autumn even kicked in. We thought this would be an opportune moment to look at the fascinating stories surrounding leaves – of all shapes, sizes and textures. Autumn vs. fall Most people think that ‘autumn’ is an English word and that ‘fall’ is the same thing in American English. Not quite! ‘Autumn’ comes from the Latin autumnus , the time of year when the fruits are harvested. However, depending on the fruit, this can…

Year of the Marigold! IN this Fleuroselect ‘Year of the Marigold’, I am pleased to report that the Marigold ‘Kees’ Orange’ seeds, which came free with AG, have grown well this year. The attached photograph shows how the [African] marigold plants have flourished in a deep trough along with Nicotiana ‘Sensation Mix’. The vibrant orange of the marigolds makes a pleasing contrast with the pastel shades of the nicotiana. It is now mid-September, and the marigolds continue to improve each week. Dr Stuart Meeson Church Crookham, Hants Amazing rays THIS IS what makes gardening worthwhile and so ENJOYABLE! All from a free pack of seeds – 30+ blooms and an amazing show of flowers. I had to go upstairs to fit them all in the shot so I could show you…

Q‘Our Magnolia x loebneri is growing rather large and the branches are shading out the plants beneath. They are also threatening some cables above. Can I prune it and if so, when?’ Eileen Beach, Wigan, Greater Manchester A This hybrid between M. kobus and M. stellata makes a lovely small deciduous tree for the garden. The various cultivars are unfussy and happy to grow in almost any well-drained soil, including chalk. More upright and pyramidal than commonly planted M. soulangeana, their blooms open mid-spring and seem less prone to frost damage. Magnolias like a sheltered position away from wind and frost pockets, but the top of our tree survives regular battering by gales. Popular pink-flowered M x l. ‘Leonard Messel’ and white Magnolia ‘Merrill’ will both reach around 25ft (8m)…

WHEN I was younger, I used to like the sound of the postie whistling his way up the path, but now I just assume he’s delivering bills. This year, though, I’ve rekindled the bundled-up joy of waiting for the post by buying mail-order plants for our garden. Ordering plants by post is a first-class way of supporting far-flung nurseries, and sourcing varieties that you can’t get your gardening mitts on locally. Mail-order veg plugs also get my stamp of approval – especially those that are a hassle to sow at home – such as heat-loving aubergines and chillies. Although the price per plug is more expensive than for individual seeds, it compares favourably to the cost of the seed packets – and as I’m one for variety over quantity, that…

If your plant parcel is left at a collection point for a few days, it isn’t necessarily the end of the world. With dormant herbaceous and bare-root roses, the fuggy conditions in the container will prompt early growth, so pot up or plant in the garden as soon as possible to slow them down. With plants in growth, the leaves are likely to yellow and shoots soften, so carefully pot up and keep in a cold frame where the sunshine will green and toughen them up. Some leaves may fall, but new buds will break.…

1 Check your overwintered plants, tubers and corms every now and then to make sure they are healthy. Discard any that are rotting. 2 Most plants need little care while dormant, but keep them healthy by removing dead and dying foliage, plus any flower buds that form. 3 Citrus plants may still be fruiting and flowering, so keep feeding them with a general-purpose fertiliser and invigorator spray. 4 A greenhouse in winter is the perfect place for pests such as greenfly, glasshouse red spider mite and snails. Deal with them promptly. Spring sensation: November is tulip-planting month, so buy next week’s AG (in the shops October 30) for all you need to know about these opulent beauties.…

AUTUMN is the prime time for planting trees and shrubs. The soil is warm and damp, and there is time for the roots to settle and establish before winter. From a gardener’s point of view, autumn planting requires less work because the ground is easier to dig and the season means you shouldn’t need to water as often as in spring and summer. Autumn and winter are the seasons for bare-root planting, which we will be looking at in future issues, but if you are looking for an instant border filler, a container-grown tree or shrub is the way forward. Before buying, make sure the plant suits your soil and where you want it to grow. You should also check it has enough room to reach its full, healthy potential,…

If birds, badgers and foxes are picking at your lawns, they are probably looking for chafer grubs or leatherjackets (crane fly larvae). These grubs kill off areas of grass by feeding on roots. Further damage can be done by birds and animals trying to get to them. The safest and easiest form of treatment is by nematodes – parasitic worms which are watered on. They target and kill the grubs without harming other predators or humans. They are supplied by Nemasys and can be ordered at garden centres and from nematodesdirect.co.uk.…

1 Wet your finger and push it into a lawn seed mixture – when you then pull it out, you will see all the various sizes of seed for the different genera. 2 Before going out to buy lawn seed and lawn treatments, be sure to measure the area of turf to be treated, so you buy the right size of pack. 3 Irish brand Green Force is trialling Instant Green, a lawn tonic that contains chelated iron and dye to prevent moss and to make turf look greener. It’s already working on golf courses and football pitches. 4 Modern, slow-release lawn feeds will not scorch in the same way that traditional mixes did. Even so, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and do not apply more than the…

Onions and shallots are fairly easy to grow, but do best in free-draining soil that has been enriched with well-rotted compost or manure. They will thrive in the ground in raised beds or deep pots, but not growbags as these are too shallow. Plant the sets so their pointed tips are just visible above the surface of the soil, then gently firm them in. Pinch off the tips’ papery outer skin; if left, it gives hungry birds a perfect ‘handle’ to extract the sets! Keep the growing crop free of weeds and water during very dry weather. An occasional feed with liquid fertiliser is also a good idea.…

WITH the exception of hardy annuals and windowsill herbs, we are coming to the end of the seed-sowing season. If you are left with several open packets of seeds, hold fire before throwing them out. If stored correctly, they should still be viable to sow next year. This also applies to seeds you have collected from plants already growing in the garden. The advantages of this include saving money and bagging seeds to sow where you want them before they are spread around the garden willy-nilly by the parent plant. Collect the seeds you want to keep on a dry, still day, choosing plants that are healthy and pest-free and that have ripe seed pods that are about to split open and release their bounty. Pods that are ready for…

IN tones of rich orange, steel blue, buff pink and deep green, winter squashes and pumpkins put on a real autumn show! A favourite job in late October is cutting them from their vines and lining them all up in a sunny spot to dry – they look beautiful! There are some amazing varieties to grow – ribbed ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes’ and ‘Musquee de Provence’ pumpkins, plus wart-covered ‘Marina di Chioggia’. For winter squashes, I love ‘Uchiki Kuri’ onion squash, the orange, green and white ‘Turk’s Turban’ and blue-skinned ‘Crown Prince’ – all packed with flavour. Still, to gain the longest shelf life, you need to harvest them correctly – see the panel (right) to find out how. Next Week: Plant overwintering onions, buy fruit trees: rootstock, bring in figs…

VEG gardeners reckon that freshly picked home-grown peas are so tasty that they’re often eaten before they get anywhere near the kitchen. Peas? Maybe. But raspberries? Definitely. It’s no exaggeration to say that raspberries are so delicious you’ll have to grow far more than you think you’ll need for cooking or creating summer fruit salads. The thing is, they have this wonderful summer aroma; it’s so intoxicating that before the berries even touch your tongue, you’re lost. And while some varieties of, say, strawberries can be lacking in flavour, I have yet to sample a tasteless raspberry. When I first grew raspberries, which was a long time ago) they were a summer crop that drowned us in flavour for a few weeks and then needed awkward pruning. There were a…

VARIEGATED plants are like Marmite – some gardeners love them to bits, while others have a deep, irrational and strong dislike for them. And not just for the odd variety, I hasten to add, but anything with leaves that are speckled, spotted, striped, marbled or in some way adorned with more than one colour. I know exactly how the grumbling gardeners feel, because I used to count myself among their ranks. As far as I was concerned, every variegated plant was an abhorrent creation that really had no right to exist. My plant snobbery led me to regard any garden containing some as an affront to good taste. However, over the years I must admit that I have mellowed and have come to appreciate variegated plants. They can illuminate dimly…

First, prepare the ground well, incorporating plenty of organic matter. Scatter some mycorrhizal fungi on the roots, as well as into the base and sides of the planting hole. Mulch with compost in spring, to retain moisture in the soil; leave a 4in (10cm) gap around the stems. Don’t deadhead when the flowers fade, otherwise you’ll have no hips. Species roses produce flowers on growth made in the previous year, so if the plant does need pruning you should do this after flowering. Remove no more than one-third of your rose so you don’t lose the display of hips. Concentrate on getting rid of any dead, diseased or damaged stems, and branches that are causing congestion. Prune back to a healthy bud, or to the base of the plant.…

Q Can you identify this plant? Mr G Spring, Swansea, Wales A This appears to be butcher’s broom, either Ruscus hypoglossum or R. hypophyllum. The former is a spreading shrub to 3ft (1m) high and across. The latter is from North Africa and Sicily and grows to 2ft (60cm) high and 3ft (1m) across. Q Seeds dropped from our bird feeder have caused this to grow. What is it? Maureen Watson, via email A This curious fungus is a primitive species called Phycomyces nitens. Usually seen colonising dog and other animal faeces, it is probably growing on bird excrement. It is not harmful and doesn’t infect plants. I suggest that you remove it and compost it. Q What is this plant? Albert Austin, Winsford, Cheshire A This plant is an…

The Katsura tree ( Cercidiphyllum japonicum ) is native to woodland China. It produces mid-green, slightly heart-shaped leaves, bronze when young. They turn yellow and smoky-pink in autumn when producing a distinctive sweet scent, which is sometimes described as burnt sugar, butterscotch, caramel or candy floss. Caused by high amounts of sugars and the naturally occurring maltol glucoside in the leaves during the growing season, the organic compound maltol is released as leaves break down. Maltol is also released when sugar is burnt to become caramel. It is not known what purpose, if any, there is for the Katsura tree to release this sugary scent, but it is said to peak in concentration in senescent and abscising leaves. Cultivars include weeping C .…

Geraniums are easy to please and there’s one for almost every site, from dry shade to exotic borders and rock gardens. They grow equally well in acidic or alkaline soil, as long as it is well drained. Plant from pots in spring and summer if you’re willing to water during droughts. Add potted or bare-rooted plants from autumn to spring. On heavy soils, get them in by September or wait for spring, so new plants aren’t left with cold, wet feet. In summer, cut taller kinds back after flowering to neaten them up, and reward them with a mulch of well-rotted compost – some will bloom again. Divide in early autumn or spring using an old knife, or drive two forks in back-to-back to prise a clump apart.…

23 October 1905 The Rev Henry Honeywood d’Ombrain, lover of roses, pansies and gladioli, died. His 1873 book on the gladiolus opens: “It is impossible to be poetical in writing on the gladiolus, for it would be as difficult to find a rhyme for it as for porringer [a small bowl].” 23 October 1921 John Boyd Dunlop, Scottish inventor of the pneumatic tyre (millions of which are on gardeners’ wheelbarrows), died. 24 October 1810 Henry Doubleday, scientist and horticulturist, was born. He supplied gum arabic, made with extracts from the acacia tree, to printers for the production of postage stamps. The Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) was founded in 1954. Today it is known as Garden Organic, the UK’s foremost organic gardening charity. He died in 1902. 24 October 1830…

I DECIDED to try some pea beans this year at my allotment. There were no instructions on the pack, so I planted them around a wigwam of tall sticks, with some orange plastic around the base to keep animals off. They took a long time to get going, but once they began climbing up the sticks, they went a bit mad! They have been extremely prolific and they are delicious – they taste very similar to stick beans. They are easy to prepare too: simply trim both ends and boil. I intend to grow them again next year, but I will make some changes to the way I grow them. They are quite difficult to see and the wigwam has been very unhelpful. I think they need to be grown…

1 Don’t rush in – take time to appraise the tree by looking inside and out, removing any dead wood as you go. 2 Observe how your tree responded to any previous pruning. The old cut (pictured) made close to a trunk healed well and produced no water shoots. 3 Use a pruning saw to remove small sections at a time, cutting the branches back almost to their source. 4 A lifted canopy lets light in to plants growing beneath, and also brings glimpses of any forgotten scenery beyond.…