TEMPERATURES dipped below freezing in parts of the UK this morning – with more frost on the way.
Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded a chilly -4.1C overnight, while Bala in in Gwynedd, Wales experienced -0.1C.
But there’s still time to get essential gardening jobs done this month.
Steven Walley, a gardening and decking expert from London Stone, says autumn is the best time to complete any outstanding gardening jobs before winter sweeps in.
“This will help to keep your garden looking great – while being low-maintenance – over the colder months”, he insists.
And he revealed that there are three ‘TLC’ tasks you should be doing now to make sure your lawn is looking healthy and strong by spring.
He says: “By the end of the summer season, our lawns might be looking a little worse for wear due to hot, dry weather – or even increased use.
“As we look ahead to autumn, the damp conditions are ideal for carrying out some simple lawn-care tasks, helping our grass to recover over the winter period.”
He continues: “Rake your lawn to remove debris, old grass clippings and moss from the soil, to help your lawn soak up water better.
“Your lawn might look a bit patchy afterwards, but this will recover and grow better as a result.
“After this, mow the lawn and aerate the soil by spiking the lawn with a garden fork to improve the movement of air and water among the grass. This will help the lawn withstand drought or water logging better.
“Most lawns can recover well from summer without any feeding, but if your lawn is in need of some extra TLC, use a feed specifically formulated for autumnal application, as this will encourage root growth throughout the winter.”
And there are six other must-do jobs you should be completing before the end of the month too.
According to Steven, it’s the perfect time to clean and protect your decking, as well as packing away garden furniture.
He also encourages homeowners to “protect their patio” by regularly sweeping and cleaning it over the colder months.
Turning to more traditional gardening, Steven also recommends tackling weeds now as well as creating sheltered spots for plants.
He says: “Any weeds should be extracted in the autumn months, as this is when many common weeds start to produce seeds. If treated now, these weeds can’t re-seed, helping to reduce the amount of weeds that crop up in spring.
“To remove weeds in your patio paving, pull the weed out by the root – rather than removing the leafy part – as this will ensure an effective removal.
“The colder months aren’t the peak season for weed growth, but it’s still important to stay on top of prevention. Stay on top of sweeping your patio to prevent seeds from settling, to reduce weed growth.”
He adds: “If you have potted plants, you should bring them inside or put them in a sheltered location to help protect them over the colder months.
“However, if your plants are in flower beds or sleepers, it may be more difficult to keep them safe from the bleak weather conditions.
“The best thing to do is make sure that all plants and flowers have been pruned with all dead leaves and branches removed – this will help to keep them flowering for longer.
“Keep plants happy over the winter months by reducing your watering schedule – just make sure your plants don’t get too dry.”
And finally, the gardening and decking pro insists people should be planting new bulbs right up to November.
He says: “Autumn is the best time to plant bulbs, for a colourful and vibrant garden come March.
“There are lots of different bulbs you can plant, including daffodils, which will likely be the first to appear.
“You can also plant tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the autumn months. Just make sure to choose the right time to plant different bulbs. For example, daffodils should be planted at the end of September, but tulips shouldn’t be planted until November.
“When you are planting your bulbs, make sure to dig deep enough. Around two times the depth of the bulb itself is recommended to ensure good drainage. Don’t forget to pick a spot that is guaranteed to get sunshine too.”
