The Gardener's Diary: Autumn Colour and Winter Preparation
In the latest instalment of The Gardener's Diary, Head Gardener, Chris Inchley, shares an insight into what's happening in the garden this month and offers some expert advice for the season ahead.
The autumn colour has been nothing short of spectacular this year. Our acers and the Liquidambar have truly outdone themselves, painting the gardens in deep reds, burnt oranges and golden tones. But with the beauty of autumn also come the storms and that means one of the most important jobs of the season: raking up the fallen leaves from lawns and ponds.
Rather than disposing of them it’s well worth turning your leaves into compost. Stored for a year they break down into a rich, crumbly leaf mould that makes a wonderful top dressing for borders. It’s nature’s way of recycling and your plants will thank you for it come spring.
Once the first frosts arrive we’ll be lifting, drying and storing our dahlias for next year. We do this as we plant tulips in the same beds, a little autumn choreography that ensures continuous seasonal colour. Dahlias can be left in the ground over winter but only if your soil is light and free-draining. In heavier soils they are best lifted to avoid rot.
This year we’re planting 3000 tulips, a vibrant mix of reds, oranges and pinks to create a spectacular burst of colour next April.
It’s also time to top off the roses, trimming back the taller shoots to prevent “wind rock.” This simple but essential job helps protect the roots from damage during strong winter winds.
Our banana has fruited again this year, an incredible sight here in Somerset. Sadly the fruit won’t fully mature before the cold sets in so we’ll be cutting the plant down to around four feet and wrapping it carefully in fleece, straw and hessian for warmth. With a little luck it will thrive again next year adding a touch of the tropics to the garden.
Finally we’ve treated the lawns for fusarium patch, a common lawn disease that appears as small rotting patches in damp conditions. It’s crucial to act quickly as the spores spread fast and can cause lasting damage. Keeping lawns as dry as possible by blowing or “swishing” away excess moisture can help but once fusarium appears, treatment is essential to keep the grass healthy through winter.
As we move through November the garden transitions quietly from fiery colour to winter calm, a time of clearing, protecting and preparing for the promise of spring.
