Gardening in Autumn - Jobs to Do
Posted: Saturday, November 05, 2011
by Liz Canham
http://www.internetmarketingwithliz.com
Here in Spain, autumn has really only just arrived, but no matter where you live there are still jobs to be done. Gardening in autumn gives a certain satisfaction because really you're putting the garden to bed for the winter.
Clear the Leaves. You can rake leaves or use a garden vacuum but which ever you do, don't throw the leaves away as you can add them to the compost heap or make mulch with them. It's particularly important to clear the leaves from the lawn and they could smother the new growth of grass.
Plant Evergreens. If you want to plant evergreens or conifers then early autumn is the time to do it while the soil is still quite warm.
Plant Shrubs. Deciduous shrubs should be planted in mid autumn but bare root shrubs can be planted later on (but before the ground freezes).
Plant Spring Bulbs and Flowers. Now is the time to plant crocuses, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. You can also plant corms such as freesias.
Plant Spring Bedding. This is a good time to plant spring flowering plants such as wallflowers, stocks and polyanthus. Plant in well dug and fertilized ground.
Dig up Dahlias. As soon as you get the first frost, dahlia foliage will wilt and go dark brown or black. Cut off the stems and dig up the tubers which can be kept in a cool, dark place, preferably covered in compost, until they start to shoot in spring, when they can be put back in the ground.
Take Cuttings. Take cuttings from shrubs and also pelargoniums and fuchsias and keep them in a heated greenhouse. That way, if your plants succumb to the cold, you'll have replacements ready to plant in the spring. Alternatively, lift tender plants and pot them up in the greenhouse. If they're too big to lift, then try wrapping them in garden fleece; they will survive if the winter isn't too harsh.
Winterise Tools. Thoroughly clean and oil the lawn mower and any other electric tools such as hedge trimmers, scarifyers and strimmers. Clean off other tools like forks, spades, trowels, etc. and store in a dry place.
Tidy Up. Make sure that there's nothing loose lying around the garden like plant pots and children's toys which could be picked up by the winter winds and hurled around causing damage.
You can find more on gardening in autumn and the rest of the year at Liz Canham's website Gardening for All. Check out her article on How to Mulch and Compost Leaves.
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