OCTOBER CLIPPINGS

Order sweet pea seeds,

bearing in mind the bearing in mind the smaller-flowered grandifloras are intensely perfumed but for long stems of big, frilly and scented blooms, choose Spencer varieties. Sow under unheated cover in autumn to plant next year.

Lift and move poor-performing ift and move poor-performing peonies

 – they may be sunk too low in the ground, waterlogged low in the ground, waterlogged or overshadowed. Lift carefully or overshadowed. Lift carefully and replant the fleshy roots immediately in an open position of good, well-drained position of good, well-drained soil. Never bury buds on the crown by more than 2.5cm (1in).

Begin clearing crops and weeds

before topping no-dig veg beds with a layer of well- rotted garden compost. Trickle this between plants rotted garden compost. Trickle this between plants such as forget-me-nots that you want to keep.

Make leaf mould to use in potting composts. 

Leaves are best chopped first by mowing and moistened. Place to rot for 1-2 years in a wire enclosure or bin bag. A few grass clippings speed up the process.

Aerate patchy lawns after mowing,

by pushing in fork tines before brushing in lawn top dressing (a mix of sand and fine topsoil).