September Top Tips

• A sure sign that autumn is here, is the range of spring flower bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, alliums, along with all the dwarf spring flowering bulbs such as snowdrops, aconites, iris reticulata, chionodoxa, grape-hyacinths, dwarf tulips and narcissus are now available to buy in our Garden Centre.
• If you are wishing to plant prepared-hyacinths for Christmas flowering, get them planted in bowls using bulb planting compost as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as supplys of prepared hyacinths sell out very quickly.

• September is a busy month, as the autumn programme begins now, with increasing intervals between mowings and raising the heigth of the cut to the autumn level, a quarter of an inch above the summer cutting height.
• An autumn lawn feed will help build up the grass and roots for the coming winter.
• The September routine for all lawns is to scarify first, then spike any compacted areas and finally top dress with an 'Autumn Lawn Weed and Feed'. September is the best period for sowing a new lawn from seed.

House Plants

• Bring in to the house or conservatory any plants that have been outside for the summer, before the nights get too cold, these include, non hardy Azaleas, Cymbidium Orchids, Clivias, Citrus, tender Palms and others.
• Clean them up before you bring them into the house or conservatory.
• Also check them over for any pests such as aphids,vine weevil, slugs and snails hiding in the foliage or pot. Now is also the time to finish off any potting on or repotting that needs to be done before the plant growth naturally begins to slow down in the autumn.
• Our house plant areas are now full of beautiful flowering plants to brighten up the home or office, Orchids, Chrysanthemums, Cyclamen, African Violets and many more.

Herbaceous Border

• Regular dead heading of dahlias will also help new bud formation.
• Enjoy the last days of summer with a riot of autumn colour in the herbaceous border.

Bedding Plants

• Summer annuals will be finished flowering towards the middle of the month. It will be time to think about replacing them.
• Dig the soil over first and add some slow release fertilizers such as bone meal to the soil before replanting.
• Pansy and violas will be available for planting now, together with wallflowers, sweet williams, bellis daisy, and mysotis.
• Planting autumn bedding with spring bulbs such as daffodil and tulips is a great way to add a splash of colour to your garden now for next spring.
• Miracle Cyclamen, Erica Gracilis and Yoder Chryanthemums will add an instant splash of colour to any border or container they will flower from September right through until the middle of November.
• Lift gladioli once the foliage has died down, dry the corms and store in frost free place for the winter.