The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

Generally this month is about tidying up before winter sets in.

 

For example;

 

Clean out the greenhouse in preparation for storing/protecting tender plants.

 

Clean the glass inside and out and repair any broken glass, and ensure the greenhouse is watertight and draught fee.

 

Fit bubble insulation.

 

Check that heaters are in good working order and that you have an ample supply of fuel.

 

 

Week No. 40 - 30th Sept to 5th Oct

 

• Close non mechanical vents mid afternoon to avoid the ingress of cool damp weather, auto-vents will take care of this on there own.

 

• Generally reduce the watering frequency to most plants.

 

• When watering Azaleas use an acidifier.

 

• Fetch Calceolaria, Camellia, Cymbidium / Orchids, indoors for the winter.

 

• Collect Cactus seed if required.

 

• Soak saved Ranunculus tubers for 24 hours, and plant them up into 125-150mm (5”-6”) pots.

 

• Pot up bulbs into containers to grow indoors, including a few crocus.

 

• Sow some salad leaves in pots.

 

• Thin out lettuce seedlings.

 

• Check Pelargoniums for signs of aphids.

 

 

Week No. 41 - 6th to 12th

 

• Pot up Cineraria

 

Week No. 42 - 13th to 19th

 

• Water house plants as necessary.

 

• Plant out winter lettuce and salad leaves in the greenhouse border.

 

• Trim Fuchsia and pot down to a smaller pot to save storage space, this process may also uncover the presence of vine weevil larva which otherwise would have remained there feeding on the plant roots until spring.

 

Week No. 43 - 20th to 26th

 

• Fetch Cineraria, Pelargoniums, into a warmer environment for the winter.

 

• Clean and store Gladioli corms.

 

• Move house plants to a position where they will get maximum light.

 

Week No. 44 - 27th to 2nd Nov

 

• Fetch tender plants indoors for winter protection.

 

• Gradually reduce the water to Begonias,and Gloxinia as foliage begins to yellow.

 

• If tomato harvesting is complete, remove their haulms and place on compost heap.

 

• Lift and store Chrysanthemum stools after flowering.