Make gardening kids’ play By Caroline Knight
As the new school year begins, September is a good month in which to turn your attention to the garden. This late summer period is the last hurrah before the daylight hours shrink and the air cools. Take some time off work or make time within your busy schedule, if necessary, to enjoy your outdoor space during a month of calm.
The month is generally a productive one for those who have been growing for the kitchen. You should be able to harvest figs, apples, pears, blackberries, grapes and tomatoes. There will be fresh vegetables to enjoy, including leafy greens, runner beans, squash, potatoes, onions and carrots. It’ s also the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs.
It’ s a particularly beautiful time outdoors, with golden light that is less harsh than during mid-summer. Certain plants save their best for this time of year, including ornamental grasses, perennials – including Aster, Japanese anemone and Rudbeckia – and shrubs like Hydrangea. Did you know, there are now up to 600 named cultivars of Hydrangea?
Take a good look around your garden to see if anything will deliver a September splash of joy. If the show’ s over already, this is a great time to make a shopping list so that you can fill the gap for next year.
Inspire the younger generation You might still have small people at home or
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