2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Emma Mackenzie)
You might think that this time of year is a quiet one when it comes to gardening jobs, with many plants beginning to go dormant for winter , and some trees and shrubs already having lost much of their foliage. However, there is actually quite a bit to be getting on with in the garden this week. And, if you do not tackle some of these jobs now, you may end up seriously regretting it.
Garden designer and TV presenter Diarmuid Gavin has explained exclusively to the Mirror exactly what you need to do this week in your garden, and these seven jobs will make all the difference to your outside space. Firstly, the expert explains that if you are currently growing cabbages in your vegetable patch, now is the time to get to work. He added: "If you grow cabbages, make sure they are netted for winter to protect against birds tucking in.
" The Royal Horticultural Society also advises that you make sure to "provide consistent moisture, feed to boost growth and remove any faded outer leaves regularly," with your cabbage plants to ensure they thrive. Diarmuid's second expert tip is that now is the time to "bring potted herbs such as mint, basil, and parsley indoors to the kitchen windowsill." This will protect them from any upcoming frosts, whilst still ensuring that they get all the light they need.
By keeping them in the kitchen, also means that they are on hand whenever you need to add them to a recipe, so this one is a win-win. The expert also recommends that this week herbs aren't the only plants you make sure to protect from the lower temperatures heading our way and the accompanying frosts. "Protect borderline hardy plants such as Melianthus with a heavy layer of compost around their base to protect them from frost," he explains, adding "Don't forget some of your pond plants may be tender and need protection from the big freeze.
" You should also "remove stakes from herbaceous borders that have died back," this week, the garden designer advises. It is also the time to do the work to ensure you can enjoy soft fruit like gooseberries next year, he explains. "You can propagate soft fruit bushes from hardwood cuttings so if you'd like to grow gooseberries next year, see if a neighbour, friend or maybe someone with an allotment will let you take a clipping.
" All you need to do for this one is "Cut section from a healthy shoot and insert into pots of cutting compost" the expert explains. This is also the perfect week to give your hard-wearing gardening tools some much-needed TLC before you say goodbye to many of them over the winter. "Give your garden tools a clean before tidying away for winter – remove any earth and apply oil to prevent rust," Diarmuid advises, adding "A bit of linseed oil on wooden handles can help prevent splitting.
" Finally, if you are looking to add some bare-root roses to your garden, this is a good time to get started, the expert explains, however, if you don't get round to this one, don't worry, because this job is a little less urgent because these "can be planted anytime now between now and March." Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.
com.
