Everything you need to grow...
Hot off the trowel
Gardens to Gander
West Dean Gardens open Mon-Fri 09.30am - 5.00pm.
Sat-Sun 09.00am - 5.00pm
Petworth House. Gardens open Mon-Sun 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Woolbeding Gardens. Open Thursday and Fridays only 10.30am - 4.30pm. Book online only.
The National Garden Scheme (NGS)
Look on their website and find a garden near you to visit.
Insector Clueso!
Ash tree dieback is a highly destructive fungal disease. It causes leaf loss and canopy decline and, in many cases, causes tree death. It was first recorded in the UK in 2012. It is estimated that
there are more than 60 million ash trees at serious risk, and the majority will be affected in the years to come.
Some may have what’s called ‘genetic tolerance’ to the dieback, meaning they will survive and reproduce to create the next generation of ash trees. Meanwhile our woodland and forest landscapes will be devastated and changed for generations to come.
Weeders Digest
The Climate Change Garden by Sally Morgan and Kim Stoddart
The RHS have recommended a book called The Climate Change Garden by Sally Morgan and Kim Stoddart. After our speaker last month gave a talk on gardening in the 21st century, this booked seemed very appropriate. It is an insight into problems gardeners could potentially face in our changing climate. Learn how to start creating a resilient garden for the future now to give it a better chance of survival. Guidance includes improving your soil, creating a resilient veggie patch and planting a climate change
Top gardening jobs for October
The autumn chill sets in.
Although we have had some warmer days over September, the autumn is now definitely here for real, and it feels colder. It can be a beautiful time of the year with the trees changing colour. Sometimes it may seem pointless raking when the wind blows even more leaves on the lawn, but just think of the lovely leafmould you can make. It is also time to start preparing for early frosts
1. Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into the greenhouse or conservatory.
2. Cut back perennials that have died down.
3. Divide herbaceous perennials.
4. Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants.
5. Plant out spring cabbages.
6. Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year.
7. Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts.
8. Prune climbing roses.
9. Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas.
10. Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf.
Musings
‘October, ruddy cheeked, comes o’er the plains, And as with rustling step it speeds along,
It’s feet beat music to the harvest song’
Albert Laighton
‘October is the month for painted leaves,
as fruits and leaves and the day itself acquire
a bright tint just before they fall, so the year nears it’s setting. October is it’s sunset sky; November the later twilight’
Henry David Thoreau
‘October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl
up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book’
John Sinor
‘The softened light, the veiling haze, The calm repose of autumn days, Steal gently o’er the troubled breast, Soothing life’s weary cares to rest’
Phoebe A Holder
October gave a party
The leaves by hundreds came - The Ashes, Oaks and Maples, And leaves of every name.
The sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand; Miss Weather led the dancing Professor Wind, the band.
George Cooper
And remember...
October is the treasure of the year
