The garden in October
Things to do in the garden in October:
- Harvest ’Autumn bliss’ raspberries and apples
- Old apple trees can be trimmed now
– young trees might be harmed if they are cut right before winter sets in
- Dig up the dahlia roots, before the first frost comes and keep them cool – indoors
- Do not cut the grass too short – the roots need the nutrition they get from the straws
- Cut the dead flowers off the perennials – unless the dried flowers are decorative
– wait until spring to cut everything down
- Perennials may still be moved
- Plant bare rooted plants, for instance roses, hedge plants, foliage shedding shrubs and trees
– the plants have stopped growing but remember that the roots must not be allowed to dry
- Enjoy the annuals before the frost sets in
- Self-seeded biannual flowers can be dug up and located in one place for a more striking effect
Chrysanthemum spells fall
We have planted Hardy mums to add some colour to the garden this autumn. A blue variety in the blue flower bed next to the lavenders and a white variety in pots at the patio. They will only last until frost, which is soon to come. But these beautiful annuals are usually quite cheap this time of year.
Blue
Hardy mums
Dahlia - Happy wink
We planted these lovely pink dahlias in pots on the big patio. Dahlias come in many different shapes and colours, but the flowers are always voluptious and the tall plants often needs to be supported with a net or string. One of our three plants broke during a September storm, but already it seems to have grown back to size.
This variety with purple-red leaves and pink flowers is called 'Happy Wink'. Dahlias in general are named after the Swedish 18th century botanist, Anders Dahl. The roots must be taken up and kept dry inside during winter.
Dahlias - Happy wink
Gladiolus - fragrant white lilies
We planted corms of Sword lilies in two pots in late June and, in September, they bloomed. They remain a highlight on the patio here in October. This attractive perennial is semihardy in temperate climates. The fragrant flowers are most often white or orange.
White gladiolus
Pot marigold - still blooming
We have sown Pot marigolds in drills in empty areas and in containers by the patio. We have been able to enjoy their striking sunny colours all summer. Ida likes to pluck these big orange and yellow flowers – and the more she grabs, the more it blooms. By now it is possible to harvest some seeds to be thrown on the ground next spring.
Pot marigold
Garden Nasturtium - fresh green foliage
Known as Garden Nasturtium, Indian Cress or Monks Cress, Tropaeolum majus is another easy-to-cultivate annual. A small package of seeds can cover a very large area and they do not mind shadow. This year we have planted climbing varieties by the patio. One of them is climbing the willow fence and the other is trying to hide the drainpipe. The leaves are very decorative, so it does not matter that they almost cover the orange-red flowers.
Garden Nasturtium
The garden in January
The garden in February
The garden in March
The garden in April
The garden in May
The garden in June
The garden in July
The garden in August
The garden in September
The garden in November
The garden in December
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