Dahlias in the winter, what to do?
Lift and store dahlia tubers as soon as the frost blackens the stems. In milder areas with free-draining soil, you can risk leaving them outdoors over winter, as dahlias can cope with a little frost. Even so, it’s always a good idea to pile up a thick mulch of dry spring leaves or straw over the tubers, held in place with [...]
Time to plant a grapevine
Plant a grapevine now in a sunny spot and you can make the most of the warm soil and damp weather to settle it in beautifully by next spring when it bursts into growth again. Growing grapes is becoming hugely popular these days, as the summers get warmer and last longer. All they need is a sheltered spot, ideally against a [...]
Plant of the Week: Althaea
The delicately pretty marshmallow, Althaea officinalis, is among the oldest of cottage garden flowers, with pale lilac-pink flowers that seem to dance above the border on their 1m tall stems. It’s perennial, coming back year after year, and a must for wildlife gardens as it’s a British native wildflower, its open, nectar-rich flowers adored by bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. [...]
What to do in the garden in October?
The garden is ablaze in October, with berrying shrubs laden with brilliantly colourful jewels and trees turning every shade of crimson, copper and ochre. But winter isn’t far off now, so make your garden is tucked up and the harvest gathered in with our list of jobs to do this month. General tasks: Plant new trees plus hardy shrubs and perennials [...]
What to do with the lawn this week?
Scarify the lawn this week to help it breathe and give the grass enough space to thicken up for a lush green lawn next year. Scarifying is just a fancy word for removing all the debris which has built up at the base of grass shoots during the year. It’s mostly just dead grass and moss, but it can form into [...]
Time to start a wildflower meadow!
Now is the time to start a wildflower meadow – not only a stunningly beautiful feature for the garden, but also a haven for wildlife including pollinating insects such as butterflies, bees and lacewings. Start sowing in autumn and you’re mimicking nature, as this is when flowers naturally shed their seed. In our garden centre here we have a wide [...]