I am a gardening expert and I need you to do 5 jobs in the next week

A gardening expert has revealed five essential jobs that need to be completed before October 1.

Now that fall has arrived and temperatures are dropping, it is important to protect your garden from the harsher weather conditions that are on the way.

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Garden expert Kevin Gess, from Prestige lawnsshared a list of jobs that green-fingered Brits should put on their bucket list in the next week.

Protect vulnerable plants

Protect vulnerable plants

Kevin explained that some plants can be damaged in winter by, for example, wind, rain and frost.

He revealed that any plant that is not native to the UK is at risk of damage.

To protect these plants, you can put perennials such as cannas, dahlias and fuchsias in a greenhouse.

If moving the plants is not possible, you can wrap them in materials such as straw or burlap to insulate them.

Houseplants should all be brought indoors and you should apply mulch to the root areas of conifers, tender shrubs, perennials and to the surface of the soil to prevent the ground from freezing.

Weeding

Kevin explained that weeds still grow vigorously in colder temperatures.

He said, “Be vigilant and remove them if you see them.

“If possible, dig them out instead of pulling them out, as you are more likely to take them with you, roots and all.”

Rake your lawn

Kevin said it’s important to rake your lawn regularly in the fall.

He explains: “This prevents fallen leaves from blocking the light and air supply to your lawn, making your lawn more susceptible to disease.”

Mow your lawn

According to Kevin, now is the perfect time to mow your lawn one last time before winter sets in.

However, he warned against mowing the grass during frost, as it would be damaged more quickly.

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.

Pruning roses

Kevin said that if you give your roses some attention now, you have the best chance of them coming back healthy in the spring.

He said: “The most effective way to do this is to remove any dead, shriveled flower heads, remove any leaves showing signs of black spot, rust or mildew and prune away any dead stems.

“It’s also worth thinking about whether you should move rose bushes that are not in a good spot or plant new ones so they can take hold in the spring.”

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