Time of fogs and frost

This time of the year I like the colour of the leaves on the trees, working in the garden can be rewarding doing plant breeding, clearing leaves and pruning deciduous shrubs, trimming back perennials and collecting those final seeds.

In the garden there are still jobs to do, continue with leaf clearing, consider composting in your garden if you have the space.

A simple compost area can be created using wire netting and posts the cheaper ones are the ones used as tree stakes.

It’s time to sow Broad Beans and peas, look for Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia ideal for winter sowing and Pea Meteor Dwarf ideal for winter or early sowing.

Both will need some protection from birds when germinating and also cover during periods of severe weather.

Bring in tender plants to protect from frost

Raise up pots on your patio to aid drainage in winter

You will still need to cut grass during mild weather, it will continue to grow in temperatures above 5°c but do not cut it too short and not during frosty weather too late now for herbicides though

Plant tulip bulbs for spring display

Plant colourful containers to brighten dull winter days, use a combination of Viola, Pansy, miniature cyclamen, Carex, Ivy and Cupressus

Some of my favourite Viola are the Viola Bonnie Lassies™  – from Scottish Viola Breeder  – Hugh Boyd

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VIOLA  Bonnie Lassies ™ ‘Isabella’