Winding down to wintertime
I SPENT the weekend on a deep dive into the garden. From late summer on I’d abandoned the plot by and large. I was working on a TV series and organising a garden festival and there simply weren’t enough hours in the day.
So, it grew! Every plant began to merge into its neighbour and by September our Eden was an impenetrable jungle. But now growth has stalled, leaf colours are changing and I have time to take stock. I’ve decided on an edit.
The planting is reaching maturity and this autumn and winter will be a time of decisions – what to leave, what to remove and what to move.
But let’s start with some October jobs. Gentle hoeing of the soil will expose eggs of slugs and weevils, allowing birds to feast on them and help you with pest control.
Dispose of diseased leaves, especially from fruit trees and roses, to reduce fungal and bacterial diseases overwintering and popping up next spring.
Try and finish off weeding and then cover with a thick layer of mulch or bark – this looks good and will help suppress any late weeds germinating in mild spells before winter sets in.
Current mild temperatures mean the grass is still growing so it still needs a mow. However, don’t go too short as you don’t want it shaved for the winter. Any poor patches can be repaired over the next few weeks as well.
You can do this in two ways – fill in the hole with soil, sprinkle with seed and water, or you can rob a bit of grass from a less conspicuous area and fill in the gaps instantly. Lawns can be raked to remove old bits and be top dressed. But if you need a completely new lawn, this time of year is perfect to get it done.
As the leaves fall from deciduous trees and shrubs, their shape becomes visible.
Generally you don’t do a lot of pruning at this time of year but it’s always a good time to remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches and you have the advantage of being able to see what you are doing foliage.
However, don’t go attacking spring flowering shrubs as you’ll remove all the lovely buds! Summer fruiting raspberry canes can be cut back – leave the new green ones for next year’s crop.
Veg growers will be starting to tidy up at this stage unless you have pumpkins ready to be lifted. If you are harvesting cabbages, cut a small cross in the stem to encourage a second flush of leaves.
Clear up the remains of any crops that are finished such as tomatoes and beans – although you can leave bean and pea roots in the soil as they will release nitrogen.
Allow the soil to rest over winter and digest a big meal of well-rotted manure or dug-in compost.
It’s a good time to look back at what was successful and start planning what you will grow next year.
Make a quick sketch of your plot to help you rotate crops for the new year so that they are not growing in the same patch of soil as this year.
You can sow autumn onions and garlic bulbs now which will give them time to develop strong roots before winter.
‘Early Purple Wight’ is a robust garlic that produces large bulbs in early June.
Spring cabbages can be planted as well but be sure to protect them from pigeons and other hungry birds.
Keen gardeners could also get some winter greens going such as lamb’s lettuce which, if sown in small batches, will keep you in salad for the winter.
Make sure to enjoy the season by visiting your local parks, gardens, woods and nature reserves to drink in the vivid autumnal colours – they’ll soon be gone!
Sadly passed away peacefully on 18th October 2021 in Meadow View Care Home aged 95 years, fortified by the rites of the holy church. Beloved wife of the late Leonard, loving mother to Brenda & Peter and the late David, a doting and devoted Grandma to Samantha, Claire & James, Great Grandma to Isabella, Isaac, Charlie, Noah & Georgia Mae and a much loved mother in law to Jack and Karen. She will be greatly missed by all family, friends & neighbours. Requiem Mass at Holy Family RC Church 10 am on Wednesday 27th October followed by interment at Rochdale Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Springhill Hospice. All enquiries to:
It is with huge sadness that we have to tell you that Andrew (Andy) Swaby died peacefully on the 5th October aged 72.
He was the loving husband of Tricia, devoted dad to Rick, Bernie and the late Daniel, much loved Grandad to Sum Sum and Yu Yu, father-in-law to Selina and Dominic, brotherin-law to Kit, Margaret and Jean, uncle, son, brother and a friend to many.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday 26 October at 10 am at the Sacred Heart Church, Kingsway, Rochdale followed by committal at Heywood Cemetery at 11.30 am. In view of Covid restrictions, please will people attending the church service wear a mask inside the church.
The Family of the late Philomena Hill would like to thank most sincerely all Relatives, Friends & Neighbours for their kind messages, sympathy cards, mass cards & kind donations to The Alzheimer's Society. Special thanks to Father Simon at the Sacred Heart RC Church for a Beautiful Mass. Thank you to Everyone who attended the service & to Robert Nuttall Funeral Services for their efficient, caring & dignified funeral arrangements during this sad time.