AS September draws on, I’m spending time cutting back spent perennials, removing annuals that have had their day, and deciding what to do with the gaps they leave.
Early autumn is the perfect time to plant, as the soil is still holding on to summer warmth and is dampened by showers. Anything planted now has time to establish and put on root growth before it beds down for winter, and hardy annuals sown now will nestle into the soil and burst into life next spring.
One of the delights of this summer has been the unexpected appearance of a night-flowering catchfly (Silene noctiflora) in a corner of the garden.
A member of the campion family and standing a good 3ft (1m) tall, it is a delight, with starry flowers in white and shades of pink that open as the day ends, and hairy stems that feel sticky to the touch.
Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2021 de Amateur Gardening.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2021 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters