JOBS to do NOW in the GARDEN…..

Late summer or early Autumn is the perfect time for tilling the ground and adding organic matter, like compost or manure, to improve soil structure and nutrient levels, make sure you sow, grow, prune and feed your plants at exactly the right time to keep everything in peak condition.

Water potato plants, especially container grown crops to keep plants healthy and yields high.

• Water all your container plants thoroughly at least once a day.
• Soak any pots that become bone dry, especially terracotta pots. Water will run off the surface of dry compost, so place dry pots, baskets and containers in a wheelbarrow of water, and leave them to soak until the compost is moist once more.
• Deadhead spent blooms and damaged foliage to keep your container displays looking fresh.
• Check containers for nesting ants or vine weevil if plants display a lack of vigour. In the case of ants, stand pots above the water level in large saucers of water.

Cut the grass more than once a week to create a fine finish to your lawn. Remove weeds and, if required, fill any holes with a gritty compost followed by a small amount of repairing grass seed as you go.

• Cuttings can be taken now of houseplants such as coleus.
• If plants being grown in patio pots are not doing as well as expected, this could be caused by either ants nesting in them or vine weevil. Preventative action should be taken and in the case of ants the pots could be stood, above the water level in large saucers of water, and in the case of vine weevil treat the compost with a biological pest control.

• Going away on holiday and there’s no one to water your plants in the greenhouse or conservatory, then it may be worth considering one of the many watering devices available while away such as Watering Mats, Micro-drip Watering System & Timer Set, Watering Spike, Adjustable Drip Feeder.
• In the case of containers and hanging baskets it is well worth moving them to a situation where they are shaded and out of full sunshine.
• To prevent plants that are in a greenhouse becoming scorched, which can occur if the leaves are wet, on hot days either place netting or use a shade paint on the outside of the glass. In this instance, please remember to water plants carefully, it is always advisable on hot days to damp down the floor of the greenhouse as this will increase humidity.
• This is an ideal time to clean out any empty water butts so that any dirt that may be trapped at the bottom is removed.
• Use a net to remove any dead flowers or leaves.

• Overgrown pond plants can be thinned, and it may prove useful to take note of any waterlilies which will require dividing next spring.
• Feed fish regularly, taking care not to over-feed, with a varied diet to build them up. Any food remaining in the pond after ten minutes should be removed.
• To help aerate the water and keep fish healthy top up water levels.
• Oxygen can be increased by letting water gently fall into the pond from a hose at a height approximately 1m (3′).
• It may prove necessary to increase the amount of oxygen to fish and plants during thundery weather in which case leaving the fountain running overnight will prove helpful.
• If you haven’t a water fountain then a gentle spray using a hose over the surface from time to time will prove beneficial.

• Soak any pots that become bone dry, especially terracotta pots. Water will run off the surface of dry compost, so place dry pots, baskets and containers in a wheelbarrow of water, and leave them to soak until the compost is moist once more.
• Deadhead spent blooms and damaged foliage to keep your container displays looking fresh.
• Check containers for nesting ants or vine weevil if plants display a lack of vigor. In the case of ants, stand pots above the water level in large saucers of water. Treat compost with a organic pest control to remove vine weevils.