CUT BACK TIRED PERENNIALS AND PLANT MORE

Worn out perennials that have been flowering their socks off all summer can be tidied up now. Cut stems back to the crown or base of the plant and if there’s any new growth, then cut just above it. In very cold areas, don’t cut back so severely. Leave some woody stems to protect the crown from frost. Shred or compost the old growth except for diseased leaves and unwanted seedheads. Don’t be too swift with the secateurs though.

Spare the sedums, echinacea and other flowers that hold their shape well and feed birds over winter. Now that we’ve had some rain but the soil is still warm, it’s a good time to plant those garden centre impulse purchases or any divisions taken from established clumps. Pictured here is

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT EGG CARTONS?

Protecting eggs is just one use for egg cartons. Apart from being a stalwart of preschool craft projects and storing Christmas ornaments, they are handy garden gadgets too. They’re often touted as being good for raising seedlings. The idea is to plant the cardboard segment along with the seedling so the roots are not disturbed. I’m not convinced by this method. I don’t think the segments hold enough seed raising mix and they dry out easily. But if it works for you, go for it. At my place, cartons that

SAVE SEED OF SHIELD BEETLE-FOILING CLEOME

Every year I grow cleome (spider flowers) as a catch crop to attract green shield beetles away from