Dulverton Gardening Club

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Jobs to do in the garden
JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH
 
(September 2021)
There’s still plenty to be done this month – harvesting crops and tidying up - whilst enjoying
the last of the years’ warmth.
IN THE FLOWER GARDEN………

·         Herbaceous perennials can be divided this month which will help keep your plants healthy and vigorous and will multiply your stock;
·         Net your ponds now before the autumn leaf drop gets underway which will help reduce the amount of debris in the water;
·         You can start planting your spring flowering bulbs now such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths for colour next year;
·         If the plants in your greenhouse and cold frame are finished start clearing away any dead leaves and rubbish and clean the glass before starting any autumn sowing;
·         Continue to feed and dead-head your hanging baskets to prolong their growth and colour until the first frosts;
·         Continue dead-heading annuals and perennials to keep them looking good for a few more weeks;
·         Continue to water camellias and rhododendron during prolonged dry spells to help develop next years’ flower buds.

IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN……..

·         Keep harvesting crops. If you have a glut of fruit and veg try freezing, pickling and storing so you can benefit from them later in the year;
·         Cut back to ground level the foliage and stalks on your main crop potatoes to prevent blight spores infecting the tubers in the ground. Spread out newly dug potatoes to dry for a few hours before storing them in a cool dark place;
·         Help pumpkins ripen in time for Halloween by removing any leaves that might be shading the fruit and raise them off the ground to prevent rotting by carefully placing them on a piece of wood or slate;
·         Keep your French and runner beans well fed and watered to keep them producing. Continue to harvest regularly to prevent them setting seed;
·         Once your broads and peas have finished cut the plants away at ground level but leave the roots as this will allow nitrogen to go back into the soil as they break down;
·         Pot up some mint and parsley for your kitchen windowsill for fresh herbs throughout the winter months;
·         If you haven’t already done so, cover your brassicas with fine netting to prevent birds taking your crops. It will also help keep the cabbage white butterfly off them.

IN THE FRUIT GARDEN…….

·         Tidy up your strawberry plants by removing any unwanted runners and dead leaves. Clear away any used straw as well as this will harbour pests and diseases during the winter;
·         Pick any ripe apples. To test when they’re ready, gently lift them in the palm of your hand or give a gentle pull; if they’re ready they will come away easily. If you see any rotten fruit, remove them immediately as they will spread disease if left on the tree;
·         Now is the time to harvest plums. If you have more than you can use immediately, freeze them by washing, halving and stone them, before open-freezing on a tray. Once frozen, pack them into freezer bags;
·         Pick blackberries (it looks like a good crop this year) and use straight away or freeze some for use later on;
·         If you haven’t already done it, cut back the fruited canes of your summer raspberries leaving the new green canes for next years’ crop. Tie-in the new canes to support wires;
·         Take hardwood cuttings of currants and gooseberries now to increase your stock.

IN THE GREENHOUSE……

·         Water any plants you have left in the greenhouse, early in the day so the greenhouse is dry by the evening. Damp, cool nights can encourage botrytis;
·         Close your greenhouse door and vents in late afternoon to keep the heat in overnight which helps your plants crop for as long as possible;
·         Empty pots and get rid of old compost and decaying plant material which can harbour unwanted pests over the winter months.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR LAWN…….

·         If you’re creating a new lawn from turf or seed now is the best time to do so as the autumn weather is ideal for good lawn establishment;
·         Keep the blades on your mower raised as grass growth begins to slow down this month;
·         Carry out essential maintenance of your lawn to avoid waterlogging and compaction by aerating with a garden fork and removing thatch from the surface with a rake. Use a specialist lawn scarifier if you have a large area to cover;
·         Apply a special top-dressing after carrying out maintenance following the instructions on the packet carefully;
·         Feed your lawn with an autumn fertiliser which is rich in potassium but low in nitrogen.

OTHER JOBS AROUND THE GARDEN AND OUTSIDE AREAS……

·         If you have clay soil improve the quality before it becomes too wet or frozen by incorporating organic matter and/or horticultural grit;
·         Create compost bins in preparation for all the autumn leaves and dead plant material which will break down over the winter months;
·         Burn diseased plant material or dispose of it in your green waste; don’t add it to your compost bin as the spores may remain in the compost and re-infect your plants when you use it;
·         Raise any pots off the ground for the winter by using ‘pot feet’ to prevent waterlogging. Protect any that are not completely frost-proof by either moving them into a more sheltered position in your garden or by wrapping a piece of hessian around them;
·         If you don’t have any, install water butts to collect rain this autumn and winter. Rain water is ideal for watering ericaceous plants such as blueberries, rhododendron and camellias.

Well, Folks, that’s all from me for this year. Next month we’re back to where I started.
Happy gardening!
 
Dulverton Gardening Club
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