September 2019

Taken from this month's Newsletter

• Cut back, lift and divide summer flowering herbaceous perennials. Replant or pot up divisions and water well. Bring excess plants to the Club Plant Sale.

• Lift tender perennials such as fuchsias, gazanias, lantanas and abutilons before the frosts arrive. Cut back and store in a frost-free greenhouse to overwinter.

• Move self-seeded biennials such as foxgloves and teasels if they are not growing in suitable locations.

• Take semi-ripe cuttings of hebes, privet, heathers and viburnum

• Plant prepared hyacinths for Christmas flowering

• Pick autumn raspberries and cut out old wood from summer flowering raspberries

• Dig up remaining potatoes before the slugs get them

• Place boards or tiles under pumpkins and squash to prevent the bases rotting

• Lightly trim hornbeam and beech to keep them neat and provide screening through winter

• Speed ripening of outdoor tomatoes by laying lifted plants on straw and cover with a cloche or hang in a cool shed

• Scarify, aerate and top dress established lawns. Sow grass seed or lay turf as required

• Put netting over ponds before leaf fall

• Clean birdbaths out with a mild detergent to help prevent the spread of disease

• Freeze herbs in ice cube trays for use later

• Start to reduce the frequency of houseplant watering

• NGS - Dipley Mill, Dipley Road, Hook, RG27 8JP, Sunday 29 September, 2pm - 5:30pm

• See what's happening at other local clubs via the Surrey Horticultural Federation web site

• WGC October Club Meeting - 'Ferns & their Companions', George Lockwood, Tuesday 8th October, 8pm

• WGC November Club Meeting - 'Wild Britain - Channel Islands to Scotland', Nigel Choat, Tuesday 12th November, 8pm

• SHF AGM and Quiz. Normandy Village Hall, Sunday 17th November, 2:30pm - 5pm