Garden tips for October

Continue weeding and tidying this month. Time spent now, especially with pernicious weeds, will pay dividends in spring. Cleanliness is vital, removing the build-up of leaves and detritus will reduce the likelihood of pests and diseases overwintering in forgotten corners of the garden. Autumn is the best time for planting. The ground is still warm and there is more likelihood now of rain to help establish root systems. Trees, shrubs, bulbs and even bedding for winter colour can be planted now. Rake the lawn - or use a scarifier if you have one - to remove any thatch or moss that has appeared over the summer then apply an autumn feed to enrich the lawn over the winter period. A feed high in phosphates will provide nourishment but will not encourage thick top growth which would be susceptible to frost and damping off. Aerate compacted areas and apply lawn sand in the holes, cracks or any hollows. Bare patches can be overseeded with grass seed. Continue deadheading your summer pots and hanging baskets. This will help encourage more flowers and, by continuing to water them, you can expect colour well into October. The rest of the garden may also need watering as there may still be dry spells. Look after your feathered friends. As autumn turns to winter keep a good supply of nuts and seeds on the bird table. Fat-based snacks are best to help birds stay well and energised. Make sure your bird bath is clean and keep it topped up with fresh water. Tidy your herbaceous borders, but don’t be too pernickety yet as you will do a fullscale cutting back and tidy in the coming months. What’s more, some seed heads can look attractive well into the winter. Carefully lift and divide overgrown perennials and put debris onto the compost heap. Cultivate borders to break up any compaction and allow the penetration of water and oxygen to the plant roots. Apply mulch as this will help retain warmth and moisture for the dormant period and prevent weeds appearing in the spring. Cut and tidy your hedges to smarten them up for the winter. Roses, climbers and other summer-interest woody plants can be pruned. This will help them keep in good shape and vigour for next year. Plant spring flowering bulbs such as snowdrops and daffodils. Establishing them now will give a good show after the winter gloom. Tender perennials such as fuchsia and geranium should be brought into the greenhouse before the first frosts. Give the greenhouse a good clean out too, it makes the task much more pleasant doing it now than in the depths of winter. It also discourages the overwintering of pests and disease. A disinfectant such as Jeyes fluid is excellent for bringing it up to scratch. Fruit canes that are past can be removed and new canes tied in. Pot-up runners of strawberry plants for bulking up and planting next spring. ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, EDINBURGH ARBORETUM PLACE, EDINBURGH TEL: 0131 248 2909 WWW.RBGE.ORG.UK