Wonder why people think the gardening season is over? Especially the Beeb who imagine there’s nothing to do in the garden come the autumn. Wouldn’t it be great to have a really good gardening programme at this time of the year – my annual grouse. But there’s plenty to do in this glorious lockdown weather: here’s my to-do list.
*BULBS Pot up bulbs for forcing in a gritty compost, cover the surface with gravel or garden moss and pop somewhere dark in a shed or garage. When they start to show, stake them with hazel twigs and bring them into the house to flower three weeks later.
Still time to plant outdoor bulbs: either in the ground or in containers. I’ve potted a large shallow pan of Iris reticulate Katherine Hodgson to bring near the house early next spring. My camassias have been planted in the meadow and alliums in large containers. Just the tulips still to do.
*HERBS Bring some potted winter herbs near the house to save those nightly forages in a dark garden. Stick to the hardy perennial herbs that go so well with winter comfort food, and don’t bother drying herbs: they taste like a dusty memory of their former selves.
*MATS Have placed a runner of coir matting along the decking to stop me slipping on the wet planks. You can buy coir by the metre from garden centres – it’s used to line hanging baskets.
*LEAVES Rake the leaves from paths and place in large builders’ bags where they’ll rot down to leafmould to add to your compost and improve your soil’s condition.
*PLANT Bare root fruit trees and any plants that will enjoy the autumn rain and establish well before Spring: an especially good idea in parts of the country that spend the summer in drought.
*BRING IN All tender plants, trim and tidy away fallen leaves to prevent mould, Stop watering succulents (apart from Aeoniums that seem to carry on growing during winter).
*HENS Worryingly there is Bird Flu about again. Henkeepers know what to do, but if not, have a look on www.henkeepersassociation.co.uk or the Defra website.
*ENJOY This seasonal burst of fine weather and make the most of the garden while we can.