Still time to sow
We may be heading into autumn but there is still plenty of planting and sowing to do in the flower garden in order to get a head start on next spring.
Now’s a good time to think about sowing sweet peas (in the greenhouse or cold frame) in order to get a good early display next summer. You can also sow seeds of a number of hardy annuals, where you want them to pop up next year. Sow seed of poppies, Calendula, Consolida, Limnanthes and Centaurea.
If you were organised and sowed spring-flowering biennials earlier in the summer then these plants, which will include foxgloves, viola, and wallflowers, should be ready for planting out. Now is also a good time for planting any new perennials (you also often find them reduced in garden centres now), as the ground is still reasonably warm and they can get established before the frosts set in.
Keep sowing veg
Start sowing now and you can look forward to a nice early spring harvest. Vegetables that will happily overwinter include Oriental veg, spinach, turnip, and winter lettuce. This is also the time to plant onion sets for overwintering.
If you sowed any spring cabbages last month they should be ready to plant out – but cover with netting or fleece to stop the pigeons having their fill!
Early morning photography at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Autumn mornings offer amazing light and beautiful effects for the keen photographer, and here’s your chance to get into the beautiful gardens at Harlow Carr before everyone else on the morning of 13 September. Capture the gardens as they leave summer behind and head into autumn – please call to book a place although the event is free – normal entry fees apply.
Feeling hot, hot, hot!
The weather may be cooling down but at RHS Garden Rosemoor, the experts will be giving you inspiration to create your own hot border on the weekend of 13 and 14 September. Inspired by Rosemoor’s own Hot Garden, you’ll get ideas for creating vibrant displays in your own plot with illustrated talks at 11.30am and 2.30pm in the Plant Centre.
Listen to the latest RHS podcast
Listen to our latest podcast, where we offer seasonal information, you can hear tips on growing fruit and veg, and get up-to-the-minute help and advice.
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