September with an Indian summer  is one of the months you can make time to sit in your garden in the sun  and to invite friends to a barbecue or evening drink. Unfortunately there are some jobs which still need to be done but when you are in your peaceful garden they are a pleasure not a chore to do.

Even on an overcast day you need to check if your pots and baskets need watering. On a windy day they can dry out even more as the wind increases evaporation and transpiration. To encourage more and more flowers feed your pots every week with Phostrogen Plant Food (1Kg £3.49) and pick off all fading blooms before they seed.

Not only do your bedding plants grow well in the warmth of summer the weeds enjoy the conditions too so a spray of Pathclear Gun, Season Long  (£4.99) this will help control the weeds that are popping through the paving stones and help to control germinating weed seeds for the rest of the growing season. If you are not keen on using chemicals in the garden a new tool from Burgon and Ball, the patio weed brush  ( £9.99 ) , with a little bit of elbow grease will have your patio weed free.

Wasps and ants can become a nuisance on your patio as they search for food and work to enlarge their nests. If you see an entrance to a nest dust this with Ant Stop Powder (400g £2.99). The pests distribute the powder amongst the colony and kill the whole nest. Remember though that ants and wasps do play a vital role in the ecology of your garden and if their nests are out of harms way it is best to leave them alone to play their role. Ants can be a nuisance in your kitchen and a quick spray with AntStop RTU (800ml £4.99) give long term control on foraging ants.

Vine weevils can be a problem in patio pots. The adults leave horseshoe shaped notches on the edge of leaves whilst their larvae eat the roots. An adult can lay up to 600 eggs over the summer. The adults come out at night and should be squashed if seen to kill the larvae drench the compost with a solution of BugClear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer (£9.99)   this also give protection to the plants against aphids, whitefly, scale insect and mealy bug.

It is time to plant winter bedding so if your summer pots look good why not buy some new pots from our new selection. Mini Miracle Cyclamen and winter pansies will give lots of colour whilst conifers and plants such as Gaultheria and Cornus give colour with berries, stems and foliage.Remember plants do not grow very much in winter unlike you  summer bedding so remember to choose plants the size you want then to be and plant them close together.

Roses bring wonderful displays of colour to any garden and make an excellent cut flower to take that colour indoors. Clear away fallen vegetation as this harbours pests and diseases which can do harm next year. Roses are greedy feeders and would appreciate a top dressing of well rotted farm yard manure. If this is not readily available we sell Blended Farm Manure (£3.99 56 litres)


The Lawn

Your lawn will have suffered following its use as football pitch, race track and entertaining space and will have become compacted reducing the amount of air to the roots and impeding drainage. Stab the lawn with a fork and gently raise the turf all over the lawn which will allow air in and impprove drainage which will also help prevent moss growth.

Mid September is the time to apply an Autumn Lawn food, Scotts Evergreen Autumn Lawn Food with Moss Kill encourages grass roots to grow rather than the grass itself so helping your lawn face the ravages of winter.

Continue to pick beans and peas and courgettes as soon as they are large enough to eat. If you don’t pick regularly the plant will stop cropping and the vegetables will become bigger but old and tough . Feeding with MiracleGro All Purpose Plant Food (1Kg £3.79) also encourages better crops.

Its time to plant spring cabbage, cauliflowers, broad beans, leeks, Purple Flowering Broccolli and carrots. 

Dig up potatoes as soon as the foliage starts to turn yellow and store in a cool dry place.

The work you did on your garden early in the season will be rewarding you now with delicious home grown food and a wonderful environment to sit and enjoy your well earned rest and relaxation with friends and family.


Bulbs

Our full range of spring flowering bulbs is now in stock. Our bulbs are all top quality, large, firm bulbs with no sign of mould. They will store in a cool dark place for a while if you don't want to plant them straight away but all bulbs can be planted straight away although tulips will be better if not planted until November. All our packaged bulbs have planting guides on the pack but if you have any doubts ask our resident bulb expert Graham.
Hyacinths for Christmas flowering need to be planted now. Keep themin a cool dark frost free place such as a garage. Once the flower bud begins to show colour move to a cool light spot in your homesuch as a spare bedroom.  In 2 weeks time it will be ready to go where you would like to enjoy its flowers and smell.