Bulbs

  • Buy Spring Bulbs for next year. We have a great range of bulbs ready for planting, from the traditional favourites to more unusual varieties such as Alliums, woodland and rockery bulbs. Most bulbs, including Daffodils, Hyacinths and small bulbs are best planted in September or in early October. Tulips are better planted towards the end of October.
  • For indoor displays of Hyacinths and Daffodils, plant the bulbs in attractive containers filled with bulb fibre. Store these in a dark place for 2-3 months, when you have 1-2 inch shoots on the bulbs, bring indoors and the flowers will develop.
  • Layer different types of bulbs from top to bottom in the same container (or even in the same hole in the garden) to create companion plantings or a succession of blooms.

Flower Garden

  • Give evergreen hedges a final trim to ensure they are neat for the winter.
  • Tie in climbers and wall shrubs.
  • Divide clumps of herbaceous perennials.
  • Buy and plant hardy perennials, roses, deciduous trees, shrubs and climbers. The warmth in the soil will help them get quickly established.

Roses

  • If rambler and climbing roses have got a bit out of hand, spend a bit of time tying them in.
  • Take every opportunity to remove debris and old leaves from around the plants as these will harbour pests and disease for next year.
  • If black spot or rust has been a problem try and pick off infected leaves as far as you can and dispose of them – don’t put them on the compost heap. If they fall to the ground and blow about they will spread the infections.

Lawns

  • Autumn is the ideal time to give your lawn some attention – see our range of feeds and weed killers.

Containers

  • As well as planting containers with bulbs and spring bedding, why not plant a couple with small evergreen shrubs to give a bit of structure and green throughout the winter months. Euonymous, Ivies and dwarf conifers are ideal.

Fruit Garden

  • Cover autumn-fruiting blackberries and raspberries with netting to keep off the birds, but check daily to ensure no animals or birds get trapped. Once you have harvested all your raspberries cut down all canes that have fruited this year.
  • Autumn is an excellent time for planting fruit to get a good start on next year. Take a look at our range.

Water Features

  • Clear decaying foliage from water-lilies and other marginal plants and keep fallen leaves out of ponds
  • Ensure pumps and filters are unblocked and working correctly and then at the end of October remove pumps and filters, clean them out and store until spring.