October in our Gardens by Philippa Thomas

In these exceptionally tricky times when it can be difficult to know what the right thing to do is, we are now cautiously optimistic. Our gardens are keeping us physically active and mentally at rest. October can be our gateway month, our weeks are presently filled with bitter sweet beauty of our autumnal decay as well as the promise of new beginnings. Autumn is officially here in all its golden glory, there is an abundance of magnificent fallen leaves everywhere, russets, burnt oranges, etc. Our Dalkey backdrop of the low sun and red sky sunsets give us a radiant glow in our autumnal evenings. Notice the dew in the mornings and then the cobwebs everywhere. Humidity now, is virtually non-existent and those pesky mosquitoes have been killed off on cold nights. Here in unique Dalkey, the slow descent into our winter has already begun and our first frosts could arrive by the middle of the month.

Did you hear that Trinity College here in Dublin has begun transforming its manicured front lawns on College Green into bee-friendly wildflower meadows after the public voted in favour of it?  An online poll was held last February and attracted 14,000 votes with around 90% voting in favour of the conversion to native Irish Wildlife Meadows. This meadow turf lawn includes 25 types of Native Irish Wildlife. It is hoped that all this will support greater Irish Wildlife. It is hoped too, that all this will support greater biodiversity and pollination in the heart of the city centre. There will be a sequence of flowering that will offer pollinating insects a menu that goes through the seasons. Hopefully, it will increase the number of insects that we see in the centre of our city, i.e. oxeye daisy, cowslip, wild carrot, etc.  Isn’t it wonderful to hear that it is so clear that people are connected to nature?  People obviously want to see more native landscape around Trinity. It should be quite green and luscious over this winter and then, to see it next year when it is in full bloom, will be quite awesome.

Our traditional planting season comes into play in October. As plants go dormant, it is the best time to lift, transplant, prune, divide and take hardwood cuttings, it is also the ideal time to plant hedges and move trees and shrubs. Really after spring, autumn is the second best time to plant as our soil is still warm and warm soil allows roots to develop and expand, making plants tougher and more resourceful more quickly. Perennials love being planted right now, remember to tease out the root balls, this encourages the growth of new roots and ensures they grow out into soil. In nature, a plant will always balance its top growth with its root growth and vice versa.

Most Interesting Facts.

Scientists in Switzerland have found that bumblebees that wake up earlier in the year than normal, due to climate change, nibble on plant leaves to stimulate them to flower. This unusual behaviour was seen to compel some plants to bloom two weeks to a full month earlier, providng much-needed pollen for early-emerging bees.

Wine G.B., the national association for English and Welsh wine industry, reports that 139 vineyards were hit by Mays late frosts, which may cut harvests from 30,000 bottles to 10,000 bottles, this year.

Might Do, Maybe October Jobs.

Maybe, it’s time to bring potted tropical plants inside, likewise citrus plants, keeping them cool and frost free benefits them in every possible way and then, making sure there is enough space between them in order to keep them well ventilated, thus reducing the risk of disease…..Inspect these plants that you bring into your greenhouse, conservatory or whatever for any pests and diseases, check especially their drainage holes for slugs. Water plants more sparingly as our conditions turn cooler and our days get shorter.

  1. Super duper right now, to collect seeds from summer flowering plants for planting out, next year. Store them in airtight containers in a cool dry, dark place……Beneficial also, to leave some seeds in situ in the garden for hungry birds………
  2. Maybe too, choose some gorgeous flowers for pressing, then make into your very own cards or decorate your gifts/presents with same.
  3. Maybe, take snapshots with your camera or mobile phone of where herbaceous plants are located before they die back, so that you don’t damage their roots during a winter dig…….You could even start a photo diary to record your precious garden’s journey. Capture images of borders you’d like to replicate or areas of the garden that need improving.
  4. Once climbing roses have finished blooming, cut back the side shoots to two buds from their base and remove any weak or dead growth.
  5. Continue to clear leaves from lawns to avoid brown patches, collect up leaves in leaf mould bags or pile them onto the compost heap to create bumper mulch for next year’s borders. Chopping up leaves makes their conversion to leaf mulch, much faster.
  6. A novel idea would be to create AN EVERGREEN CHAIR in the garden, it could be inspirational during these oncoming winter months.   BULB LASAGNE:   *1 pot   *3 layers   *4 months of colour.   *The largest and latest flowering bulbs go in deepest, moving to the smallest and earliest in the top layer.
  7. There are plenty of autumn herbs to sow from seed once our summer heat fades. Dill is perfect for cooler months and delicious in so many foods….Flat-leaved parsley and the English curly-leaved form, chervil, coriander and then, enthusiasts are raving about par-cel which has a hint of celery, mixed with the characteristic parsley taste. Again, winter savoury is excellent throughout the winter……You can also sow quick-growing micro-greens, such as kale, mustard, for nutrient rich pickings in just a few weeks….Chives, lemon balm and marjoram respond so well, to being divided right now……
  8. Buy the largest tulip bulbs that you can get for best displays of flowers.
  9. Wrap grease bands around the trunks of apple, pear, cherry and plum trees to trap the crawling female winter moth.
  10. Perhaps, plant up some cheery pot displays for winter colour, create your own winter tapestry…..Maybe, consider some aromatic herbs, winter flowering pansies, violas, wintergreen , mini scented cyclamen, skimmia rubella, to achieve a long lasting winter display….

If you have plenty of Rosemary in your garden, you could have a ball using some to cover drinking tumblers/glasses, for a social distance garden party, also a good cheap technique to make a table centre arrangement more interesting.

Wrap the glass outside in two full circles of florists water-proof green glue tack…..Rosemary or lavender will last well out of water. Stick the stems onto glue tack, adding bit by bit, all the way round. Trim off excess stems at the bottom; attach a base of material at its base……All the same flowers look MAGIC.#