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A gardening expert has shared four key jobs Brits should definitely get done this weekend before the cold winter months set in.
As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop, this weekend may be one of the last chances for garden lovers to get their gardens ready for the months ahead.
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It is expected to remain relatively warm and dry this weekend, meaning conditions will be ideal for spending time outdoors.
Leonardo and Domenico Musceo, garden experts on Air TaskerI have listed four tasks that will be a priority this weekend.
1. Pruning lavender and roses
According to experts, September is the perfect time to prune two common garden plants: lavender and roses.
They explained that if you forget to prune lavender, the plant can become lanky and spiny.
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“Pruning creates a more compact shape and stimulates new growth, which makes the plant look neat in the fall,” say Leonardo and Domenico.
Pruning plants can also remove dead flowers, helping to keep your plants looking lush and healthy this fall.
Pruning in late summer also allows you to remove dead flowers, keeping the plant looking lush and healthy through the fall months.
Once your roses have finished blooming, it is important to prune back the flowering stems by a third and remove some of the older, woody stems.
“This not only improves air circulation, but also stimulates new growth,” the experts say.
2. Inspect your lawn
Your lawn may be looking a little worse for wear after the warm summer months, so now is the perfect time to check the health of your soil.
By preparing your soil at this time of year, you will be better prepared for sowing and laying turf, which you can do in October.
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To inspect your soil, you will first need to clear the area of weeds and debris.
Then add some organic matter to improve the soil structure and fertility.
Garden work in September
As September begins, so does autumn. Veronica Lorraine, gardening editor at The Sun, has a few jobs to keep you busy as the summer sun fades.
1. Start thinking about spring bulbs
It’s early bulb season! As well as the more traditional daffodils, crocuses, alliums and bluebells, try snake-head fragillaries for something a little different.
2. Think of the bees
Be sure to continue to feed the bees with fall-flowering pollinators such as stonecrop, honeysuckle and asters.
3. Dig and enjoy your potatoes
The potatoes from the main crop are ready to be harvested. Make sure you harvest them all so they are not damaged by slugs.
4. Change your lawn mowing schedule
Raise the height of your lawn mower and start reducing the amount of mowing you do. Fertilize it in the fall, especially if you didn’t get around to it over the summer, and start raking to remove thatch.
5. Plant new perennials while the soil is still warm.
6. Take cuttings of salvia
It is as easy as cutting a shoot tip above a node and throwing it in a glass of water to see if roots develop. Especially with delicate Salvias that do not survive the winter.
7. Give camellias enough water so that buds will form again next year.
8. Keep removing faded flowers and watering your hanging baskets
They must continue until the first frost.
9. Make pumpkins Halloween-ready
Remove any leaves that are covering the pumpkins so they are ready for Halloween. Also make sure to water them regularly as they are very thirsty.
10. Check your pond
Cover your pond with a net to prevent it from filling up with fallen leaves when the trees start to fall.
Leonardo and Domenico added: “Not many people realise how important this step is, but we always recommend testing the soil pH and making any necessary adjustments to ensure it is within the ideal range for grass growth.
“Grass needs nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to grow properly. If the soil pH is too acidic or too alkaline, it can block the uptake of these nutrients by the grass roots, resulting in poor growth and an uneven lawn.
“Keep in mind that the ideal range is usually somewhere between 6.0 and 7.5. If your soil pH is too low, it’s a good idea to add lime or wood ash to raise it. If you test and it’s too high, add organic materials like sulfur or aluminum sulfate.”
This is also a good time to aerate your lawn and make sure you are properly controlling weeds and pests.
3. Plant strawberries
If you would like to grow your own fresh and juicy strawberries for next Summer is the perfect time to plant strawberry plants.
This gives them enough time to take root before the cold winter weather arrives.
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Strawberry plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day, so make sure you plant them in the sunniest spot in your garden.
Add compost to your beds before planting your strawberries. This will improve the fertility of the soil.
4. Moving perennials
Over time, perennials can grow too close together, causing them to compete with each other for nutrients.
Therefore, it is a good idea to divide and replant them so that they can grow better in the spring.
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The experts said: “To do this, use a garden fork or spade to carefully dig around the root ball and gently lift it out of the ground, leaving as much of the root system intact as possible.
“Then gently shake off any excess soil to expose the roots and use a sharp knife, spade or just your hands (if you don’t mind getting a little dirty) to divide the root ball into smaller sections. Each division should have several healthy shoots and a good amount of roots.
“Replant the cuttings at the same depth they were growing at first, making sure the roots are spread out in the hole. Finally, water them well to help the new plants establish, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.”
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