Mzzz B's Autumn Garden

Sorbus

Hawthorn

Euonymous/spindle

Parrotia

Acer

Crimson glory vine/vitis cognetiae

Who needs flowers when you have these colours in the leaves! However they are short lived and soon were swept away by the winds.There are still lots of flowers around but amongst the other dead or dying plants and with the effects of the wind and rain, the garden is getting to look very bedraggled. But don't be in too much hurry to cut everything back, in this warmer autumn, there are still plenty of insects around feeding on late pollen and finding places to hibernate overwinter. Bumble bees with their furry oats seem to go on late into the autumn before they find a resting place in long grass or under leaves. So if you can't bear untidiness, try and find a corner out of the way, where you can make an area of logs or leaves. Frogs, toads and newts, hedgehogs etc. will also be seeking out cosy places for winter. Beware of igniting bonfires until you have checked it hasn't become someone's home.

Jobs to do in the autumn.

• Plant tulips in pots or in the ground. If in pots protect from mice and squirrels who love them!
• Once dahlias have had a frost dig up and dry off the tubers before storing in a cool frost free place- wrap in newspaper to prevent them from completely drying out.
• Time to look at seed catalogues and plan next years garden. If you are a member of the Tattenhall Garden Society you can get a very good discount on all seeds.
• Finish planting new shrubs, trees, and perennials, before the weather gets cold. They will soon establish when the soil is still warm
• Cut down perennials that are rotting and lying over other plants, but leave as much as you can of seeds heads or stems that will overwinter insects, and provide seed for birds. They also look good in the frost!
• Remove leaves from roses and dispose in green bin to prevent black spot next year.
• After fruiting prune autumn fruiting raspberries down to the ground.
• Rake all those beautiful coloured leaves off grass and paths but leave on the borders unless they are swamping plants. Make a simple leaf mould holder with chicken wire or just black plastic bags in which you have made holes for drainage. Next year you will have a great soil improver/mulch full of essential bacteria and fungi to improve the health of your soil.

• WeLoveTattenhall