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October’s when I start my autumn clear up with real gusto. First I empty my little greenhouse. This year it was brushed out, and any algae mould or moss removed from the wooden staging and brickwork. Then the floor was scrubbed with hot water with some Jeyes fluid in it. My very own ‘Mr Sheen’, partner Matt, cleaned all the glass inside and out. I even jetted out the guttering with fresh water, so now it’s back to super sparkling.
Hosted over the weekend of 29-30 September this year, the Malvern Autumn Show saw more than 65,000 guests turn out to celebrate all things horticultural. There were growing competitions, giant vegetables, cooking demonstrations and stalls selling all sorts of culinary delights, alongside various other family-friendly attractions.
Many gardeners fear that the garden is ‘over’ once autumn arrives, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. With a little planning, and the right plants, your garden can be as stunning in the autumn as it was in the summer, standing out against the dramatic backdrop of changing colours provided by the surrounding trees. It’s not just foliage that adds colour to the garden at this time of year, though, as there are plenty of beautiful autumn flowers. Here we pick five of the best for your garden.
In September I’m always tempted to start trimming back to get a proper head start on autumn, but my advice to myself is always #ResistTooMuchTidying.
The Romans are given the credit for everything, so of course we’re told the “first greenhouse” was invented in 30 AD to grow medicinal Armenian cucumbers for Emperor Tiberius. These “greenhouses” seem to have consisted of little more than wheelbarrows with oiled cloth stretched over them. Later, substantial stone-built centrally heated structures roofed in sheets of translucent mica (selenite) were used. These “speculariums” were status symbols and entertaining spaces as much as for growing fruits and vegetables.