Please email me with your gardening questions. I’m happy to try to give answers, but I’m by no means an expert! I’d also love to hear any gardening tips of your own that you’d like to share and how your gardening year is progressing.
Thanks
Marjorie
EMAIL
Thanks
Marjorie
October Gardening Guide
The tidy-up continues as more and more autumn leaves hit the ground and late season flowers fade.
The fallen leaves can be gathered up and placed in black bags with a few holes pierced in them. Leave the bags in an unobtrusive corner of the garden and after a couple of years they will have turned into very useful leaf mould.
Turn the Compost Heap
Why? This will help loosen up the material and speed up the composting process
How? Dig out the heap and put the contents back in again. This is hot work so a good job for a chilly day.
Divide Perennials
Why? Division is an easy way to increase your stock of herbaceous perennials and improve the performance of plants that have been in place for more than a couple of years.
How? Dig up the whole clump carefully with a garden fork and place on a spare piece of soil or a plastic sheet on a path. Often the centre of the clump will be woody and hard with the strongest shoots growing around the edge. Splitting the clump will enable you to discard the unproductive centre and rejuvenate the plant by re-planting the more vigorous sections. Each portion should have good roots and strong growth buds. Re-plant as soon as possible – the roots will dry out if exposed to the air for too long. If you don't want to replant all the pieces of the plant in the garden pot them up, label them and keep them in a cold frame or a sheltered place in the garden ready for sale at the Plant Sale in May.
Look after House Plants
Why? A study has shown that the average household spent £306 on house plants in 2021! No better reason than that to make sure they are well looked after.
How? Water sparingly allowing the compost to almost dry out between waterings. Most indoor plants should be liquid fed fortnightly when actively growing i.e. from March to September. It's time to ease off feeding now unless a plant is in full flower. Watch out for pests – sticky leaves are a tell-tale sign that there are bugs about. To get rid of them repeat spray infestations with soapy water.
There is still quite a lot of colour to enjoy in the garden - we need to make the most of it now because daylight will be in short supply for the next few months.
Marjorie
The tidy-up continues as more and more autumn leaves hit the ground and late season flowers fade.
The fallen leaves can be gathered up and placed in black bags with a few holes pierced in them. Leave the bags in an unobtrusive corner of the garden and after a couple of years they will have turned into very useful leaf mould.
Turn the Compost Heap
Why? This will help loosen up the material and speed up the composting process
How? Dig out the heap and put the contents back in again. This is hot work so a good job for a chilly day.
Divide Perennials
Why? Division is an easy way to increase your stock of herbaceous perennials and improve the performance of plants that have been in place for more than a couple of years.
How? Dig up the whole clump carefully with a garden fork and place on a spare piece of soil or a plastic sheet on a path. Often the centre of the clump will be woody and hard with the strongest shoots growing around the edge. Splitting the clump will enable you to discard the unproductive centre and rejuvenate the plant by re-planting the more vigorous sections. Each portion should have good roots and strong growth buds. Re-plant as soon as possible – the roots will dry out if exposed to the air for too long. If you don't want to replant all the pieces of the plant in the garden pot them up, label them and keep them in a cold frame or a sheltered place in the garden ready for sale at the Plant Sale in May.
Look after House Plants
Why? A study has shown that the average household spent £306 on house plants in 2021! No better reason than that to make sure they are well looked after.
How? Water sparingly allowing the compost to almost dry out between waterings. Most indoor plants should be liquid fed fortnightly when actively growing i.e. from March to September. It's time to ease off feeding now unless a plant is in full flower. Watch out for pests – sticky leaves are a tell-tale sign that there are bugs about. To get rid of them repeat spray infestations with soapy water.
There is still quite a lot of colour to enjoy in the garden - we need to make the most of it now because daylight will be in short supply for the next few months.
Marjorie
September Gardening Guide
Although autumn marks the end of the main growing season there is still plenty to do in the garden. Many of the tasks involve clearing away the debris of the summer season but there are still bright flowers, foliage and fruits to make the job a much more pleasant affair
Plant new plants
Why? Autumn is an excellent time for planting both bare root and container grown plants. The ground still retains some warmth from summer – this lets the plants establish quickly before winter is upon us. Make sure that the soil is well-drained so that the plants don't rot over winter It's also a great time to buy new plants because McLaren's has 25% off everything in September!
Replace summer bedding plants and annuals
Why? These plants will certainly be past their best by now and can be added to the compost heap.
How? Remove plants and weeds from the vacant soil and add some slow release fertiliser. Refill containers with fresh potting compost. Plant up beds and containers with spring bedding plants such as forget-me-nots, pansies, primulas and wallflowers interspersed with spring bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, crocus, chionodoxa, muscari etc. If you are planting tulips in the soil it is best to wait until November to avoid the chance of disease. They can be planted in pots and containers now.
Prune Lavender
Why? To keep your hardy lavender going for as long as possible and avoid it becoming a huge plant with a dead woody centre
How? Cut it back hard after it finishes flowering and no later than mid-September. Try not to cut back into woody growth because it may not re-sprout.
The dying leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs often make a remarkable display of brilliant colour. That combined with some late-blooming plants such as dahlias, heleniums, asters and Japanese anemones can make this time of year quite stunning.
Finally, don't forget to bring in the house plants which you have put outside for the summer!
Marjorie
Although autumn marks the end of the main growing season there is still plenty to do in the garden. Many of the tasks involve clearing away the debris of the summer season but there are still bright flowers, foliage and fruits to make the job a much more pleasant affair
Plant new plants
Why? Autumn is an excellent time for planting both bare root and container grown plants. The ground still retains some warmth from summer – this lets the plants establish quickly before winter is upon us. Make sure that the soil is well-drained so that the plants don't rot over winter It's also a great time to buy new plants because McLaren's has 25% off everything in September!
Replace summer bedding plants and annuals
Why? These plants will certainly be past their best by now and can be added to the compost heap.
How? Remove plants and weeds from the vacant soil and add some slow release fertiliser. Refill containers with fresh potting compost. Plant up beds and containers with spring bedding plants such as forget-me-nots, pansies, primulas and wallflowers interspersed with spring bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, crocus, chionodoxa, muscari etc. If you are planting tulips in the soil it is best to wait until November to avoid the chance of disease. They can be planted in pots and containers now.
Prune Lavender
Why? To keep your hardy lavender going for as long as possible and avoid it becoming a huge plant with a dead woody centre
How? Cut it back hard after it finishes flowering and no later than mid-September. Try not to cut back into woody growth because it may not re-sprout.
The dying leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs often make a remarkable display of brilliant colour. That combined with some late-blooming plants such as dahlias, heleniums, asters and Japanese anemones can make this time of year quite stunning.
Finally, don't forget to bring in the house plants which you have put outside for the summer!
Marjorie
The long warmer days of June mean that you can enjoy the results of all the work you did in May and have a (slightly) more relaxing time in the garden.
Deadheading Roses
Why? It makes an enormous difference to the number of flowers you get.
How? Remove the old rose at the first leaf below it. This will result in the shortest length of time before the next bloom is produced.
Balance your compost heap
Why? Summer brings lots of leafy green material so it's important to balance it out with some dryer brown material such a cardboard.
How? Tear cardboard or paper into smallish pieces and mix into the comost heap, the ratio of brown to green should be about 50:50.If you add grass clippings to your heap add a spadeful of soil at the same time to stop the grass turning into a slimy layer.
Watering
Why? Plants in containers and those which are newly planted don't have deep roots in the soil and need to be watered regularly.
How? The most effective way is to water the base of the plant using a watering can with a rose. Water in the evening to let the soil better absorb the water and not simply evaporate in the heat.
The long light evenings are a bonus and part of the joy of gardening in Scotland.
Marjorie
Deadheading Roses
Why? It makes an enormous difference to the number of flowers you get.
How? Remove the old rose at the first leaf below it. This will result in the shortest length of time before the next bloom is produced.
Balance your compost heap
Why? Summer brings lots of leafy green material so it's important to balance it out with some dryer brown material such a cardboard.
How? Tear cardboard or paper into smallish pieces and mix into the comost heap, the ratio of brown to green should be about 50:50.If you add grass clippings to your heap add a spadeful of soil at the same time to stop the grass turning into a slimy layer.
Watering
Why? Plants in containers and those which are newly planted don't have deep roots in the soil and need to be watered regularly.
How? The most effective way is to water the base of the plant using a watering can with a rose. Water in the evening to let the soil better absorb the water and not simply evaporate in the heat.
The long light evenings are a bonus and part of the joy of gardening in Scotland.
Marjorie
7th JUNE 2021
Hi Marjorie
I received Muscari bulbs for s Christmas present. I followed all the instructions to the letter but there are no flowers - just tall leaves.
Will they come or have they had it? Thanks x
Sent from Brenda's iPhone
Hi Brenda,
It may be that Christmas was too late to plant them - usually you plant these bulbs in autumn. Other problems may be that you didn’t plant them deep enough - they should be planted about 3 inches deep - or that they got frosted as the flower buds were forming. It was a particularly severe winter so that might be the answer. They are not going to flower this year but if you feed them with some general purpose fertiliser and let the leaves die back naturally they will probably flower next year.
Thanks for your question - hope this helps.
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
Hi Marjorie
I received Muscari bulbs for s Christmas present. I followed all the instructions to the letter but there are no flowers - just tall leaves.
Will they come or have they had it? Thanks x
Sent from Brenda's iPhone
Hi Brenda,
It may be that Christmas was too late to plant them - usually you plant these bulbs in autumn. Other problems may be that you didn’t plant them deep enough - they should be planted about 3 inches deep - or that they got frosted as the flower buds were forming. It was a particularly severe winter so that might be the answer. They are not going to flower this year but if you feed them with some general purpose fertiliser and let the leaves die back naturally they will probably flower next year.
Thanks for your question - hope this helps.
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
7TH JUNE 2021
Hello
I noticed this pink/ red flower in Cardonald church gardens yesterday
Wondering if you know what it is?
Brian
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question. I think this is Red Valerian (Centranthus Ruber). It flowers from late spring to autumn and thrives in poor soil.
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
I noticed this pink/ red flower in Cardonald church gardens yesterday
Wondering if you know what it is?
Brian
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question. I think this is Red Valerian (Centranthus Ruber). It flowers from late spring to autumn and thrives in poor soil.
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
25/3/21
Hi Marjorie,
Can you help? I have had many Orchids over the years and each time I manage to kill the plant. I have tried moving them to the most desirable spot and watering using a ice cube etc. however nothing works. Any help you can offer is appreciated!
Thanks
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Orchids like a bright location but out of direct sun and not above a radiator. They should be kept at room temperature out of cold draughts and watered with tepid water sparingly every week to 10 days. Allow the water to drain down to the roots but don’t let the plant sit in water - empty out any water that has drained into the bottom of the pot. Add a few drops of BabyBio to the water each time to help keep the plant healthy.
To get the plant to flower again cut off any brown parts of the stem and wipe the leaves to ensure they are clean.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
Hi Marjorie,
Can you help? I have had many Orchids over the years and each time I manage to kill the plant. I have tried moving them to the most desirable spot and watering using a ice cube etc. however nothing works. Any help you can offer is appreciated!
Thanks
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Orchids like a bright location but out of direct sun and not above a radiator. They should be kept at room temperature out of cold draughts and watered with tepid water sparingly every week to 10 days. Allow the water to drain down to the roots but don’t let the plant sit in water - empty out any water that has drained into the bottom of the pot. Add a few drops of BabyBio to the water each time to help keep the plant healthy.
To get the plant to flower again cut off any brown parts of the stem and wipe the leaves to ensure they are clean.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Marjorie👩🏻🌾
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