Bring in houseplants that were moved outside for the summer, before temperatures start to drop. Lift and divide congested clumps of perennials, once they have finished flowering. Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths and snake’s-head fritillaries. Take cuttings of fuchsias, pelargoniums and salvias.
Collect ripe seeds, store in envelopes and label ready to sow next year. Some varieties of broad beans and peas can be sown now so that you have an early crop next year. Plant onion sets and garlic bulbs. Spring cabbages and spinach can also be sown, but might need to be protected from frosts. Clear leaves shading pumpkins to help them to ripen for Halloween, and raise them off the ground to prevent them from rotting.
Cut bean and pea plants at ground level after they have finished, leaving the roots in the ground as they have will release nitrogen back into the soil as they break down.
There is a technique that is being used more now which is ‘Chop and drop’. Rather than pulling out annuals and cutting down perennials and putting on the compost heap or in your green waste bin, the idea is to cut the plants at ground level, chop up the stems and then leave on the beds to decompose where they are. This technique is thought to help reduce water loss from evaporation, slowly release nutrients back into the soil, save time and trips to the compost heap/bin, support soil life…….but if you prefer neat and tidy beds this idea might not be for you.
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