The autumn months are still a busy time in the garden and Dobbies has a few suggestions to keep gardens at their best.

Flowers

• Clear away faded summer bedding plants
• Sow hardy annuals outside to flower for next spring
• Dead head annuals and perennials
• Spay Roses to control black spot mildew and aphids
• Continue spraying for mildew and other fungal diseases
• Move evergreens and perennials that are growing in the wrong places
• Plant trees and shrubs as this is an ideal time for these plants to “settle in”
• Plant winter and spring bulbs like Daffodils, Narcissi and Crocuses

Fruit

• Put fruit nets on late fruiting varieties of Raspberries and Blackberries and remember to check regularly that they are firmly attached
• Harvest fruiting varieties of Apple and Pears
• Plant out new Strawberry beds and remove runners from any new plants
• Complete the pruning of Tay berries, Loganberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
• Blackberry, Raspberry and Loganberry canes that have finished cropping should be cut out and new canes can be tied in to support framework
• Check stakes and ties on fruit trees and replace if they are worn or rotten
• Check that stakes on fruit trees are secure and are not constricting growth

Vegetables

• Lift onions and dry them before storing them
• Harvest plants as soon as they are ready to get maximum flavour from them
• Cut and dry herbs for use in the winter
• Continue to take precautions against slugs and snails
• Regular hoeing will keep weeds down and prevent seeds being dropped on the soil to create problems for the following year
• Sow cauliflower, lettuce, broad beans and peas under cloches in a sheltered spot
• Harvest and store marrows and pumpkins before the first frosts
• Potatoes, carrots and beetroots can be lifted and stored
• Dig over ground as it becomes vacant

Lawns

• In early autumn continue to mow the grass, raising the height of cut in dry weather.  In mid autumn reduce mowing frequency and set the blades high.  By the end of the October it will be time to stop cutting and the mower should then be serviced in preparation for next year
• Now is a good time to sow new lawns using either seed or turf
• Use autumn lawn-care products
• October is an ideal time to make new lawns from turf as the turf is unlikely to dry out and moist, warm soil aid root establishment
• Scarify established lawns to remove dead grass and spike the surface with fork or lawn aerator to help drainage
• Apply an autumn lawn food such as Levington Autumn Extra which contains Mosskiller

Greenhouse

• Daffodils can be planted to ensure a display for Christmas
• Ensure that all vents are working and close them on cool evenings
• Be extra vigilant for pest and disease
• When frosts threatens, heating may be required at night
• Water in the morning only so that the foliage does not remain wet at night
• Clean the glass both inside and out to maximise use of the winter sun.  At the same time remove any greenhouse shading
• Wash pots and trays and store for use next spring
• Sow winter lettuce in the greenhouse border soil
• Ventilate the greenhouse with care in order to keep up air movement and alleviate dampness

Ponds

• Continue to feed pond fish in early autumn
• Check filers on pumps to ensure that they are not blocked
• Remove any plant material that has fallen into the pond to prevent the build up of disease
• Net the pond to prevent leaves falling into it

General Tasks

• Top canes with cane-caps to protect eyes
• Clean paving or slabs with an algicide
• Feed the garden using a granular fertiliser like Growmore or Rose Plus
• Remove fallen leaves on borders and lawn and stack to encourage them to rot down and produce leaf mould
• Re-position tender plants into a frost free environment
• Tidy up garden shed and clean and sharpen secateurs in preparation for winter pruning
• Wash pots and trays and store for use next spring
• Sow winter lettuce in the greenhouse border soil