Page 50 - September2023
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INTERIORS INSIDER


         gardening jobs
        September








                                                       with Dobbies





              Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, highlights ways for
                            a thriving garden this September.


                                                fter a busy Summer period, September        during September, allowing them to flower at   picking courgettes when they are young and
                                                is the perfect month to take stock of       Christmas. Remember to change old compost   tender to encourage more to grow.
                                          A the  flower  and  vegetable  garden,  whilst    in your containers with fresh, Dobbies peat-free
                                          starting to make plans for the seasons ahead. ESPC   multipurpose compost with added John Innes   If you are looking at what to grow now, rocket,
                                          caught up with Dobbies’ Horticultural Director,   for best results.                    Winter salad leaves, Swiss chard, Winter
                                          Marcus Eyles, to get his job recommendations to                                        spinach and broad beans can be sown now, as
                                          keep your garden thriving this September.         Grow  your  own  produce  –  it’s  harvest   well as a last sowing of quick growing radishes.
                                                                                            time!
                                          Give  your  planters,  tubs  and  baskets  a      Fruit  gardens  and  allotments  are  bursting   Look after that lawn
                                          refresh                                           with ripe and tasty crops, ready for harvesting.   September is the ideal month to give your lawn
                                          The soil is still warm from the Summer season,    At this time of year, apples and plums are   some attention, ensuring it goes into Winter
                                          so it is in perfect condition for establishing new   ripening and ready to be gently picked from   strong and healthy, ready to look its best next
                                          plantings and the arrival of Spring flowering bulbs   the trees and eaten. If you have an excess of   Spring. Scarify with a lawn rake or scarifier to
                                          are a great source of gardening inspiration.      apples, these can be stored in a cool shed for   remove moss and dead grass and aerate the
                                                                                            Winter and make for a delicious apple crumble   lawn to reduce any compact made during the
                                          As  Summer  bedding  plants  finish  flowering,   when the cold nights close in.       Summer months. The easiest way to do this
                                          replace them with fresh new seasonal ranges to                                         is  with  a  garden  fork,  pushing  15cm  into  the
                                          provide colour throughout Autumn and Winter.      Now is a great time to start cutting back   ground with a wiggling action to create holes,
                                          Pansies,  violas,  and  wallflowers  are  traditional   Summer  raspberry  canes  that  have  finished   which should be repeated every 30cm. Now
                                          favourites for this time of year that can be planted   fruiting, tying in new whips for next year’s crop   you can distribute a thin layer of lawn dressing
                                          alongside hardy tub and basket plants to create   as you go, and potting up strawberry runners   all over the holes and brush this into the
                                          bright displays through the darker months. You    for fruiting next Summer.            aerated space. You can also add topsoil and
                                          can  also  start  to  plant  Spring  flowering  bulbs                                  lawn dressing to fill in any dips or holes, prior to
                                          now to extend your garden colour through          You can also begin to harvest your crops of   re-seeding, and apply an Autumn lawn feed to
                                          to Spring. Crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops      garlic, onions and shallots as their tops start   boost the lawn for the coming Winter.
                                          are perfect for adding seasonal variety to your   to yellow and topple over. Leave them to dry
                                          garden. Indoor bulbs such as prepared hyacinths   in a cool shed before storing in breathable   For more expert advice and gardening
                                          can also be planted in pots, bowls and baskets    drawstring bags for the Winter months. Keep   inspiration, visit dobbies.com.

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