The arrival of October means that Autumn is now fully upon us and the weather feels colder. It’s a beautiful time of the year, with trees changing colour from vibrant greens to shades of russet and gold.
This month, try to resist the temptation of a thorough clear out. If you don’t want to collect seed heads, leave them out for the birds, and leave plenty of cover for wildlife who will appreciate the shelter. Birds begin to build their reserves for winter during autumn, so now is the time to put out suitable food and water for them.
Autumn provides good planting conditions, as the soil will be warm and moist. Now is the time to plant container grown shrubs, trees, fruit bushes, perennials and bulbs. Here is a list of other jobs to get done in the garden this month:
- Cut back perennials that have died down
- Prune climbing roses
- Harvest apples, pears and nuts
- Move tender plants into the greenhouse
- Order seeds for next year
November 5th is only just around the corner, so if you plan on having a bonfire in your garden to celebrate, remember to site it carefully to minimise the risk to wildlife – place it in open ground away from indigenous trees that can get scorched by the heat. Don’t build your fire too early: a bonfire which has been sitting in the same spot for days prior to being lit is a haven animals such as hedgehogs, slow worms, grass snakes, frogs and toads, who will perish when the bonfire is lit.
