JOBS TO DO IN OCTOBER

Divide overcrowded and poor flowering herbaceous plants.

Plant out onion and garlic sets.

For existing lawns, rake in Tunstall lawn top dressing to thicken grass and improve rooting.

Plant wallflowers, winter pansies, and sping flowering bulbs for spring colour.

Now is a good time to plant new shrubs, trees and perrenials.

Lift dahlias, after the first frost.  Cut back foilage, dry off and lay in boxes.  Cover in compost with crowns exposed.  Store in a dry, frost free shed or garage. (they may overwinter in the ground, protectected by 150mm of chipped bark).

Replant hanging baskets with spring flowering bulbs, winter heathers, tailing ivies and sprong bedding plants.

Sweet peas can be sown in the greenhouse now.

Insulate your greenhouse with bubblewrap.

Turn the compost heap and add compost maker to aid decomposition.

 EASY BULB CARE CHART

SPRING PLANTED BULBS

Bulb Type            Planting Time                                                                                     Position                             Depth in inches

Begonias             March/April in glasshouse, plant out after last frost         Sun or partial shade                 2-3

Dahlias                April                                                                                                        Sunny                                             4-6

Gladioli               March/April                                                                                        Sunny                                                4

Lillies                  Sept/April                                                                                             Sunny                                                6           

Autumn Planted Bulbs      

Bulb Type          Planting Time                                                                                       Position                                Depth in inches

Daffodils            September/November                                                                     Sun or partial shade                  2-6

Narcissi             September/November                                                                     Sun or partial shade                  2-6

Tulips                 October/November                                                                           Sun or partial shade                  3-6

Hyacinths         September/October                                                                          Sun or partial shade                   5-6

Crocus               August/October                                                                                  Sun or partial shade                   2-3

Snowdrops      February/March in the green                                                        Partial Shade                                2-4

Lillium              September                                                                                               Sunny                                               1-2

Lillies                September/April                                                                                 Sunny                                                  6

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