September Newsletter

Another month as passed and we hope everyone is doing well. As we move through the season, gardens can start to look a bit tired, but you can still keep the blooms going strong by dead heading your bedding plants, perennials and roses. Be sure to water them well, especially during dry spells and give them a good feed, we have a good selection of plant feeds to suit every need.

While at a horticultural trade show in June I was talking to someone in the horticultural trade’s association, they did a survey with gardeners and less than 10% had water butts in the garden (unless they were growing vegetables) and less than 3% had 2 or more water butts.  As temperatures continue to rise and we get hotter and prolonged summers, water butts and irrigation drippers will be a wise investment. Please come and see us at Hope Valley to see the range of water saving devices. 

Spring Bulbs

Before I forget, you need to start planting spring flowering bulbs this month. Hope valley have just had our delivery of Spring Flowering Bulbs such as Hyacinths, Narcissus (Daffodils), Crocus and Tulips.

As a general rule, plant bulbs at a depth of 2 to 3 times their size – a bit deeper if your soil is light or if you are planting in pots.  There is no need to feed them and for a more natural look, try scattering them in groups.

With the chance of early frosts, be sure to bring tender plants under cover.  This includes herbs like basil and parsley, as well as tender asparagus.  Protect leafy vegetable crops with covers to keep the birds away and lift pumpkins and squashes off the ground to prevent rot in wet weather. We have frost fleece and tubes in stock now so don’t get caught out.

Keep feeding and watering your French and runner beans, harvesting them regularly to prevent them from setting seed.  There is always something to do in the garden but remember to take time to enjoy your garden too.  Gardens are wonderful places to relax and unwind, no matter the season.

Selected garden furniture now on sale

We have some great deals still on bistro sets and some outdoor furniture so now is a great time to grab that bargain so you can continue sitting in your garden.

Kaemingk Evora Wicker Sofa Set Sale price £399.99

Castel Wicker Set Sale price £399.99

 

Amadora Sofa Set Sale price £699.99

Winchester Wicker Set Sale price £499.99

 

• Fill compost heap with old flower heads and stems from around the garden. Making sure not to compost diseased leaves.
• Improve drainage on compacted lawns by spiking the ground with a fork or aerator and apply lawn sand + sulphate of Iron to green up the lawn and kill moss.
• Collect and wash with a garden disinfectant, then store away canes, plant supports and pots.
• Trim hedges to keep them neat and to control their size,  This will possibly be the last cut of the year.
• Lookout for leatherjackets, found now on lawns, with a suitable insecticide or biological control.
• Now is a great time to plant New potatoes and this will ensure you have potatoes for Christmas day
• Collect any fallen leaves from around roses to reduce the risk of diseases carrying over to next season.
• Prune rambling/climbing roses back after flowering.
• Grow bulbs in “aquatic” baskets ready to drop into gaps in the border in Spring.
• Prepare ground ready for planting spring bulbs, by adding sand or a good bulb planting compost.
• Plant new evergreen hedges such as Laurel, Conifer, Pyracantha and Escallonia.
• Clear away faded bedding plants from borders and containers - then compost plants.

• Pick Apples, Pears, Plums and Gages as they ripen, wrapping Apples in paper for storage.
• Plant Spring Cabbage plants now.
• Save seeds from good varieties of beans for sowing next year.
• Buy strawberry plants now, late Summer / Autumn is always the best time to plant.
• Prune out fruited blackberry stems and tie in new ones.
• Lift and store Onions
• Cut down the ferny shoots of Asparagus to soil level.

• Line greenhouses with bubble wrap for insulation if temperatures start to fall at night.
• Clear out exhausted crops and wash down with a garden disinfectant glazing, staging and framework.
• Towards the end of this month wash off greenhouse shading paint.