I’m a professional gardener – the work you need to do now to stop the huge weed problem in the spring
As October starts, it’s time to prepare your garden for the winter months ahead.
And according to one professional gardener, there’s an important job you need to do now to prevent weeds from becoming a major problem next spring.
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Not only this, but thanks to the green-fingered expert, there are five things gardeners need to do to winter-proof their gardens – and don’t worry, it’s super easy.
As temperatures drop and rainfall increases, our gardens are one of the first things to be affected by the seasonal change.
But luckily for you, Emily Green, an expert on the subject Howarth Woodhas shared her top tips on how to protect your plants, shrubs and furniture from winter weather.
The important work that she advised gardeners this month is weeding.
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It turns out that fall is the best time to weed your garden to prevent them from becoming a major problem next spring.
Emily maintained that weeds should be removed at the root, as she said: “As we all know, weeds can become a problem if allowed to grow wild, and if not managed early in the winter, they will become a bigger problem be in the spring.
“Weeds should be removed by the roots, especially if they have grown through paving joints or along the garden edge.
“You may need to use a weed killer, so try to choose one that is less harmful to the environment. Keep in mind that spraying close to the edge of your garden can affect the development of surrounding plants.”
Not only this, but Emily also revealed the five things you need to do if you want to protect your outdoor space this winter.
Go clean up
If you want to protect your garden from the wet weather, it is essential that you tidy it up.
Eliminating waste is essential and Emily emphasized the importance of removing unwanted waste from your compost pile.
She also advised gardeners to prune perennials back to ground level and ensure your potting shed is in good condition.
However, she advised you to leave your soil alone as it needs protection from the misery of winter, as too much digging can eliminate the natural decay that helped form a protective top layer.
In addition, Emily suggested that during the fall season, gutter cleaning should be performed regularly to ensure water is continually diverted away from your property.
Flood protection
In addition, the garden guru emphasized that protecting your garden against flooding is essential.
She advised: “Floods can have damaging effects on your garden.
Garden work in October
Veronica Lorraine, garden editor for The Sun, has shared the jobs you need to tackle this October.
“It’s a good time to prune deciduous hedges – such as boxwood, yew, hawthorn, hornbeam and beech – and hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leaf mold – collect all fallen leaves and fill garbage bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, poke a few small holes in the bag and store for a year or more. Free compost!
You’re unlikely to get any more red tomatoes, so harvest one more time and throw the plants into the compost. See if you can ripen the green ones by putting a drawer in them (some say with a banana). Also save the seeds from a pair – and plant them again next year if all went well.
Finish bringing in your spring bulbs. Ideally you would have planted daffodils and alliums, but tulips are better in the open ground when the soil temperature becomes a bit colder.
It is good to leave some plant waste in the ground; this adds nutrients as it rots, providing shelter and food for insects. But remove the dingy brown bits that are collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but also keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter comfort to your outdoor space.
October is a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb.”
“If your soil becomes waterlogged, it saturates and kills the roots, making many garden plants and shrubs unable to withstand heavy rainfall.
“So be prepared if the risk of heavy rain develops.”
To prevent plants from rotting and dying, she suggested cultivating your soil year-round and considering planting them in raised beds to keep them out of harm’s way.
Flooding can occur when gutters become clogged, something that becomes increasingly common in the fall with all the falling leaves.
Strip back
Not only do you need to ensure that your garden is protected from flooding, but you also need to focus on getting your plants back.
The gardening guru explained that this month you should prune some of your plants and weed your garden, as she recommended: “Pruning your plants includes cutting off dead flowers, uprooting annual summer bloomers and pruning back your shrubs before the first frost appears.
“Once you’ve done this, adding mulch and organic compost in and around your plants will help protect them from winter frost and preserve their plants. energy to bloom again in the spring.”
Cover
If you don’t have an indoor space to store your garden furniture, this professional shared the importance of making sure it is covered.
The cold weather is not pleasant for your garden furniture, because moisture and rainy periods can cause rust and mold.
This is how you clean your garden textiles
CLEANING your outdoor furniture and upholstery is a relatively simple task and requires household items already in your cupboards.
Here’s what you need, according to garden expert Daniela Venturini of Wayfair…
What you’ll need includes:
- A soft brush
- A bucket of warm water
- Mild detergent or dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- A clean, damp microfiber cloth
- A clean, dry towel
- Remove excess dirt from your furniture
Before cleaning your garden furniture, ensure the surfaces are free of excess dirt and grime from your garden, and where possible remove any outdoor cushion covers as this will make the cleaning process much easier.
- Wash furniture with warm soapy water
In a bucket of warm water, add a few drops of mild laundry detergent or dish soap to create your cleaning solution. For more stubborn stains, such as hard water stains or mildew, apply undiluted white vinegar to the stains and let it sit in the sun for about an hour.
3. Use a soft brush to rub away stains
Use a soft brush and gently rub the cleaning agent over your garden furniture in small circular movements. After scrubbing, take a clean, damp microfibre cloth and ensure that all washing and soap suds are removed from your garden furniture.
After cleaning, take a clean towel, absorb most of the moisture from your garden furniture and then simply let it dry in the sun.
To maintain the aesthetics of your garden and also extend the life of your furniture, it is best to store your garden furniture in a shed or garage if possible.
If this isn’t possible, the gardener suggested purchasing some thick, waterproof covers that can be secured around it securely.
She also advised people to store pillows in waterproof bags.
Start planting
If that’s not enough, Emily has also advised gardeners to start planting next year.
As we cruised through October, the professional suggested it’s time to make plans for next spring by planting bulbs.
At this time of year the soil is at its best for planting tulips, daffodils, violets and bluebells. If you want your garden to shine again next year, you must take action now.
