Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 76

life

GARDENING

Autumn
Gardening

Re- plant patio pots &
hanging baskets with bulbs,
primroses, pansies, also winter
flowering heathers & hardy
cyclamen to give a cheerful
display of colour right through
the winter into the spring.
Lawn care is important & if

TOP GARDENING TIPS from
URSULA THOMPSON of
Thompson's Garden Centre.

you hanker for a lush green
healthy look next spring act
now!! Raking or scarifying
the lawn clears away plant
debris, such as dead stems &
moss. Spiking called aerating

Gardening in autumn is

pruning needs to wait until

the lawn helps against water

so rewarding & with the

the spring. Dahlias & Begonias

logging; use a garden fork to

wonderful sunny weather so

will bloom right up to the

make 3” deep holes across the

far it’s time to get busy & get

first frost but then the tubers

lawn. Then boost growth with

your garden into shape.

& corms need to be lifted,

autumn fertilizer with added

dried & stored in a cool but

moss killer if necessary.

Time to tidy borders. Dig
up summer annuals, which
are starting to go over &

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frost-free place.
Remember autumn is natures

Bare patches can be
over-seeded in the autumn,

replace with spring bulbs &

best time for planting new

apply seed evenly & rake into

hardy bedding plants such as

roses, shrubs & trees, while

the soil surface, water well.

pansies, violas & wallflowers.

the soil is warm roots get

Turf can also be laid now for a

Prune late summer flowering

established well. Add extra

new lawn.

shrubs & perennials, cut back

bone meal as this encourages

roses, but only to tidy. Hard

good healthy growth.

Keep harvesting the last
of the runner beans &