October Meeting | Andrew Elms - 'The Trials and Tribulations of Lordington Lavender' | Tuesday 14th October, 8pm
Autumn arrived with a blast of cold air and near-freezing night time temperatures. Trees that were already showing early signs of colour change are developing nicely into what promises to be a spectacular October. Enjoy the last of the summer and autumn colour in the garden - perhaps with a nice cup of tea and a copy of the new Worplesdon Garden Club October Newsletter.
Continue to take cuttings of most half-hardy or tender perennials such as fuchsias, salvias and pelargoniums, as well as semi-ripe cuttings of woody shrubs such as rosemary and lavender
As early flowering annuals begin to fade, choose a warm, dry day to collect seed and store in paper envelopes or pouches made from folded kitchen paper
Fill in any gaps in the garden with spring bedding such as pansies, forget-me-nots and bellis, or with spring-flowering bulbs
October is still a good time to divide congested clumps of many perennials after they have finished flowering. Dig up, divide, replant, and water-in well. The warmth of the soil will mean they will re-establish quickly. If the clump is very large it is usually best to only take new plants from the edge and discard the older, woody centre
When frosts do hit the garden, don't be in too much of a hurry to clear faded plants. Old stems provide overwintering havens for many beneficial insects and will usually provide some extra protection for the crown or lower stems
Make space for winter bedding or early flowering snowdrops and crocuses, but also think about how attractive some dead stems and skeletons of old flowerheads can be when painted with frost
In the vegetable garden and greenhouse, continue to harvest as soon as fruits are ripe
If you are growing pumpkins or squash, trim away any leaves that are covering the fruit so that the sun can harden the skins before harvesting.
Winter onions and garlic (hardneck) can be planted now, but not in the same location as the previous crop - ideally, rotate vegetable beds on a three- or four-year cycle: Onions and Roots > Potatoes > Brassicas > Legumes
Lawns may need some autumn maintenance. Scarify to remove thatch, aerate, and apply a lawn feed suitable for autumn application (low nitrogen, high potassium) as well as addressing weeds with selective herbicides if required. New areas of grass should be sown now, or thin areas of lawn raked and overseeded.
Many hardy annuals such as cornflower, Ammi, and sweet peas can also be sown now for an early display next summer, or perhaps sow a patch of wildflowers, but choose the right seed mix for your soil type and aspect (light, moisture, etc.)
Dahlia and Begonia tubers should be lifted once the top foliage has turned black with the first frosts of October. Lift carefully to avoid damaging the tubers, trim off the dead foliage, label, then store in dry sand or compost in a cool, frost-free place. Alternatively, apply a thick layer of mulch over the plants in situ to protect the tubers from frost.
Catalogues and websites for seeds, bulbs, and bare-rooted shrubs are available now so start planning how to make your garden even more spectacular but remember to enjoy what you have now
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Aster x frikartii 'Mönch'
Pyracantha, Firethorn
Abelia × grandiflora
Chard
Chrysanthemum
Zinnia elegans 'Envy'
Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Pamina'
Fuchsia triphylla
Rudbeckia hirta 'Chocolate Orange'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'
Helichrysum 'Strawflower Mix'
Darmera peltata
Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers'
Kniphofia versicolor 'Limelight'
Rose Hips
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Andenken an Alma Pötschke'
Colchicum autumnale
Dahlia 'Thomas A. Edison'
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Part Anagram; Part Crossword. The answers to all the short clues are shorter-word anagrams of the long starter word, and there's even some clues to help you complete it! The answers are at the bottom of the page.
The Alpine Garden Society Woking-West Surrey group meet at Mayford Village Hall on the first Thursday of the month (2nd October). In addition, Hamish Sinclair, the Club Secretary, writes a rather excellent diary of his work with the Rock and Alpine team at RHS Wisley. Well worth a read to get a better appreciation of the incredible plants that are in the alpine greenhouses and rock garden.
As always, there are lots of different things going on at RHS Wisley, including the Plot to Plate event (8th-12th October) and the Cyclamen Show (18th October). In addition, Glow at Wisley, the wonderful illuminations that transform the gardens starts on the 21st November and runs until the 4th January.
It is the Surrey Horticultural Federation Annual Inter-Club Quiz on Sunday 2nd November at 2.30pm in East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 6QT. If any members would like to participate in the Quiz and help make up a team, please let Tim know. Teams of three answer a series of multiple-choice questions. Spectators also very welcome.
The Surrey Horticultural Federation website lists the activities and events at other Clubs in the area and has the latest SHF Newsletter.
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