PREPARING for the chill

Crisp morning air and longer nights are signs that autumn has arrived and to ensure a glorious winter and spring garden, there are many important jobs to be done

- PAT INGARFIELD

In many ways, autumn is one of the most important seasons in the garden. The halcyon days of summer with its frantic lawn mowing, planting, and harvesting are almost over and it is time for some serious planning for the longer nights and colder and sometimes wetter weather.

The prospect of preparing your garden is tremendously exciting - full of hope, new ideas and plans to try different projects. There are two major reasons for careful preparation for winter. One is to make sure that all your perennials, meaning your 'permanent' plants like shrubs, trees and bedding perennials, are healthy and strong and will get through a few very cold and wet months and come out the other side. The other important reason is to ensure that your spring garden is colourful and exciting, and full of new vibrant growth.

Autumn is also a very colourful time in the garden - the different hues of gold, red, maroon, plum and amber and cooler days are refreshing and stimulating to the senses.

CLEANING UP

Cover your pools, water features and fish ponds to prevent leaves and debris falling into the water. Weeds are a real nuisance for all gardeners and if you don't get them under control before winter sets in and they start going to seed, you will certainly face a massive de-weeding job in spring, so best set into them while the weather is still mild. Avoid toxic herbicides as they poison the ground and end up in the groundwater. Try some of the many organic methods instead, such as spraying with brown vinegar.

March is also an ideal month to start cleaning up your greenhouse (if you are lucky enough to own one!). Wash all pots and seedling trays and give them a soak in a weak solution of Jeyes FluidⓇ to destroy fungal spores. Give all your pruning tools a cleaning and an oiling, and put them away in a dry spot for the winter.

IN THE GARDEN