WHILE the outdoor furniture may be getting packed away, September can still be a busy month for gardeners.
Garden experts have advised that it’s time to prep for autumn colour and get your bulbs and spring flowering plants organised for next spring.
But if you’re unsure about where to start, Lucie Bradley – from gardening and greenhouse experts Two Wests and Elliott – has revealed which jobs you should be prioritising over the coming weeks.
Lucie says taking care of your hanging baskets, tubs, containers, and border plants is key.
She added: “Maintaining them encourages them to flower for longer and keeps your gardening looking lush when there’s still a hint of summer around.
“Deadheading plants such as dahlias, delphiniums, and roses with sharp snips encourage them to prolong their display.”
But it’s also important to hydrate your plants too, paying close attention to tubs and baskets and focusing on watering the soil rather than plants.
Lucie continued: “To prevent water from evaporating by the sun, water plants when it is cooler, ideally in the early morning or late evening.”
“Throughout September, and October, you should divide up clumps of perennials [longer-living plants] in your garden”, says Lucie.
“It’s a great opportunity to pass on plants to friends and neighbours or spread plants around.”
Indeed, dividing perennial plants every two or three years is a great way to help plants remain healthy as it encourages vigorous growth.
As a rough guide, if plants have flowered before June 21, the longest day of the year, they can be divided in autumn.
Perennials that can be divided include coneflowers, daylilies, delphiniums, hardy geraniums, hostas, primulas and salvia.
To get started, dig up the whole plant before shaking off as much loose soil as possible and placing it on a ground sheet.
Some plants, such as hostas, can be divided using your hands but if the roots are more solid you can use a sharp-edged tool to cut through them.
Lucie advises: “Divide perennials when the soil is dry enough to work in. If we have a wet September/October, this will have to be delayed until next spring.
“And when replanting these newly divided plants, use the hole dug up to add garden compost or fertiliser to give them the best start in their new locations.”
Green-fingered Lucie also insists that gardening fans should start arranging and planting new autumn/winter hanging baskets and containers ready for a gorgeous display of autumn colour.
She recommends looking for plants that are well suited to smaller spaces and cooler temperatures.
Here’s a quick guide to some suitable plants to get you started:
For contrast and texture, add some foliage plants to containers too – such as ivies, cineraria, heuchera and ornamental cabbages and grasses.
Depending on which part of the UK you live in and what you are sowing, the weather can affect whether you can sow hardy annuals directly into the ground or start them off in a greenhouse or cold frame.
Hardy annuals that can normally be sown directly into your garden:
Success at sowing directly into the ground is very weather-dependent, but it does result in big, strong plants in spring that have developed a healthy root system.
Use garden fleece or cloches to protect plants from cold weather spells.
Lucie says: “To help sown seeds germinate successfully, ensure the soil is free from weeds and stones.
“Break up the soil with a hand fork (or soil rake) so it is fine and crumbly, helping young seedlings reach the surface for light.
“Use plant labels to record the name of the plant that has been planted. Include additional information, like the date the plant was sown, to track when it should germinate.”
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
