Gardener’s Diary – October 2013

PAINT THE SHED

Choose a dry day and protect your shed or summerhouse against the oncoming winter with a Sadolin Classic Treatment, available in a variety of colours and tin sizes.

CLEAN AND STORE THE BARBECUE

Give the BBQ the once over with Weber BBQ Cleaner, Stainless Steel Cleaner, Grate Cleaner or Q BBQ Cleaner and keep it clean until spring with a cover. Weber BBQ fitted covers are available for each of their models. If you do not own a Weber BBQ, our Garland BBQ and Heater Cover range should suit your needs.

DON’T FORGET THE BIRDS

Keep the little tweeters happy and the table well stocked with food, refresh birdbath water and hang Fat Snax.

GET PONDS READY FOR WINTER

Cover the pond with a net to protect from autumn leaves. Leaves and debris if left in the pond will cause pollution and harmful toxins will arise. Covering with a net also gives you the added bonus of protecting your fish from hungry Herons.

Now is also the time for you to start thinking about pond heaters (bermuda pond heater, hozelock pond heater). Pond heaters are recommended for protection against the frost. If your pond freezes over completely, gases and toxins can build up underneath the ice causing harm to your fish. A pond heater simply leaves a small area of water unfrozen for these gases to escape.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

It is important to maintain your garden and prepare it for the winter, by doing a few small things, you will be rewarded with a good looking healthy start for spring and summer. Protect your plants over winter by moving them inside if in pots or protecting them with a plant fleece; this will help protect them against the impending frost.

Use a Leaf Rake and Grab to tidy up and clear all the leaves and debris over autumn. If left on the lawn, it can become too wet and bogged down and will promote moss growth. Once you have cleared the lawn, it is the perfect time to Scarify and re-seed. Re-seeding at this time of year is a great way to promote a healthy growth for the following spring. Be careful not to scarify if the lawn becomes too cold; If the weather forecast shows any frosts due or if the lawn is less than 7 degrees Celsius, it is best to put away the scarifier until next year or you could do more harm than good.

Garden Incinerators are a great way to get rid of any unwanted garden waste that you are not going to use in your compost bin!