Bill’s Autumn Article. September 2022

Bill Hunt, Newsletter Editor and Membership Secretary for the Cookridge Gardening Club has taken on the role previously fulfilled by Eric Wells, as the author of the gardening articles published in “Link Up”, the Cookridge Methodist Church quarterly magazine. Like his predecessor, Bill has kindly agreed that his articles can be replicated on this website. The following article therefore appears with acknowledgement and thanks to Bill and to “Link Up” the excellent quarterly magazine of the Cookridge Methodist Church. Bill is now a regular contributor to Link Up and a valued Committee Member of the Cookridge Garden Club . The article below forms part of the September – November 2022 ( Autumn ) issue of the magazine.

Cookridge Gardening Club

While we may think of early autumn as displaying ‘back-endish’ characteristics it is equally a time for looking forward and preparing for the new year. Hyacinth and amaryllis bulbs can be planted for forcing so that they produce attractive displays for Christmas while spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops can be going into the ground now. Residual warmth in the soil and increased rainfall favour the planting of new perennials, trees and shrubs. There is still time however to continue enjoying the current year’s displays so keep dead-heading annuals and perennials to extend their performance and likewise for penstemons, dahlias and roses.

On the food front remove foliage at ground level from main crop potatoes three weeks before you intend to lift them. Newly dug potatoes should be spread out to dry for a few hours before being stored in paper or hessian sacks. Make sure that there are no signs of rotting anywhere. Similarly make sure that you remove any rotten fruit from your fruit trees. If you are growing pumpkins for Halloween remove any leaves which may shadow them so that they will ripen in time. French and runner beans should be watered as long as they are cropping and should be harvested little and often. Where peas and beans have finished their yield they can be cut at ground level leaving their roots in the soil so that they fix nitrogen as they decompose. Where possible remove weeds and expired crops so that the plot is tidy for winter. If you are intending to plant new raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and currant bushes then order them now since the dormant season is the best time for planting. Cut back the fruited canes of this year’s summer raspberries and tie in the new green shoots for next year’s crop.

If cleaning out your greenhouse then pay attention to decayed plants and old compost which may harbour pests. Dispose of such material in your ordinary refuse bin so that you don’t infect your compost heap. Remove greenhouse shading so that light is not diminished and do any watering early in the day to avoid lingering overnight dampness. Maintain warmth overnight by closing vents and doors late in the afternoon.

Now is a good time to start a new lawn, either from turf or seed. Present lawns will benefit from aerating, removal of surface thatch, and the repairing of bare patches. Follow with a top down dressing and an autumn fertiliser. Don’t allow fallen leaves to accumulate on the lawn but instead collect them up for composting.

 Bill Hunt. Cookridge Gardening Club.

  After writing articles for Link-Up for nearly fourteen years Eric decided several months ago that it was time to hand over to someone new. We ( Cookridge Methodist Church ) wish to thank Eric for his dedication and interesting articles, and send him our best wishes. A sentiment echoed by friends and members of Cookridge Gardening Club.