News - Page 99

Time to plant a grapevine

Published on 13 October 2017

Plant a grapevine now in a sunny spot and you can make the most of the warm soil and damp weather to settle it in beautifully by next spring when it bursts into growth again. Growing grapes is becoming hugely popular these days, as the summers get warmer and last longer. All they need is a sheltered spot, ideally against a wall to hold in the warmth, or failing that a greenhouse to make sure those luscious fruits ripen.

Plant of the Week: Althaea

Published on 13 October 2017

The delicately pretty marshmallow, Althaea officinalis, is among the oldest of cottage garden flowers, with pale lilac-pink flowers that seem to dance above the border on their 1m tall stems.

What to do in the garden in October?

Published on 11 October 2017

The garden is ablaze in October, with berrying shrubs laden with brilliantly colourful jewels and trees turning every shade of crimson, copper and ochre. But winter isn’t far off now, so make your garden is tucked up and the harvest gathered in with our list of jobs to do this month.

Carpark plants

Published on 9 October 2017

The RHS is encouraging gardeners to love ‘carpark’ plants – those super reliable, robust, everyday shrubs often found dotted across urban landscapes.

What to do with the lawn this week?

Published on 6 October 2017

Scarifying is just a fancy word for removing all the debris which has built up at the base of grass shoots during the year. It’s mostly just dead grass and moss, but it can form into a dense thatch up to 1-2cm thick which prevents air from circulating and chokes your grass.

Time to start a wildflower meadow!

Published on 4 October 2017

Now is the time to start a wildflower meadow – not only a stunningly beautiful feature for the garden, but also a haven for wildlife including pollinating insects such as butterflies, bees and lacewings. Start sowing in autumn and you’re mimicking nature, as this is when flowers naturally shed their seed.

A bumper haul of berries

Published on 29 September 2017

The Royal Horticultural Society is predicting a bumper haul of berries this autumn, as a warm and dry start to the year has combined with summer rains to create optimum conditions for berries to form.

Autumn container plants

Published on 27 September 2017

Plant up autumn containers now to fill your patio with colour and interest through till winter and beyond. Keep your pots looking great as the garden winds down and you’ll still feel as good about your displays once the frosts set in as you do now.

Dry and store chillies

Published on 25 September 2017

Dry and store chillies as soon as they’ve coloured up fully. By now they’ll have developed their full heat and flavour and as soon as the temperature starts to drop they’ll need harvesting before the cold weather sets in.