October Tips

Don’t be in too much of a hurry to tidy up for the winter as there are still some autumn flowering plants to be enjoyed, such as gentians, Kaffir lilies, nerines, white and double pink Japanese anemones.

Try planting a row of broad beans, the variety 'Aquadulce', in a sheltered part of the vegetable garden. If the winter is not too severe you should be picking beans at the end of next May. If you have saved your own seed it will cost you nothing but your own efforts.

I am sowing sweet peas in deep pots – large yoghurt cartons or litre fruit juice cartons with holes made in the bottom are ideal. Keep in a cold greenhouse or garage until they germinate. You can also place them in the shelter of an evergreen shrub and cover with a piece of glass or thick plastic in case a mouse is ready for a meal. A slug pellet is also a good precaution. Again, the weather plays its part but these plants if they survive will give you flowers in May.

Nerine bulbs from the southern hemisphere will give you long-lasting clumps of shell pink flowers with strong stems. Don’t plant too deep as this appears to inhibit their flowering. A sunny spot in rich, well-drained soil is all they need. They can be grown in containers with success but be careful they don’t get waterlogged, and keep in a warm sheltered spot in the winter.

Bulbs planted in the ground will benefit from a mulch as the shallow planting can leave them vulnerable to frost.There are a number of varieties. Bowdenii is the most popular as some of the others are too tender.