Page 51 - September2023

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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