Hints & tips for cuttings, plants and pests

Pest watch

Many pests will lay their eggs on plants for over-wintering and these will attack early next year. Deciduous trees and shrubs that have dropped their leaves can be treated with Growing Success Winter Tree Wash. Slugs and snails will be very active during damp weather so protect vulnerable plants with your favourite control method. Diseased leaves that are left on the ground should be carefully raked up and disposed of. Other debris provides over-winter places for pests so get rid of this too.
 
Lift half-hardys

Before the frost and cold weather takes its toll on your half-hardy bedding and patio perennials, make sure you lift all your fuchsias, surfinia petunias, geraniums, osteospermums and the rest. Cut back leafy growth, trim roots and pot them up for over-wintering. You can take cuttings from them too. Don’t forget to pick up everything you’ll need for success such as pots, compost, labels, fleece and propagators.

Plant of the month

Ensure your garden remains a riot of colour throughout autumn with our plants of the month. There’s plenty to choose from including Japanese anemones, ericas, asters, echinacea, flux, scabias, schizostylis, sedums, hardy chrysanthemums, cyclamen and winter-flowering pansies. Don’t forget plants grown for berries, autumn foliage colours, colourful stems and a wide range of evergreens too.

Pot up cuttings

Cuttings of fuchias, geraniums and other half-hardy perennials taken in August or September should be ready for potting on. Use fresh compost and a pot just big enough to accommodate the roots. A 9cm pot should be ideal. Don’t forget to pick up pots, compost, labels, fleece for cold weather protection and anything else you need before you leave.