RHS provides growers with tips

Garden and greenhouse specialist the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has provided its members with some top tips for September.

It explained that those who grow their own food will be in for a busy month harvesting their fresh fruit and vegetables.

Even growers who prefer plants have a lot to do, with now being the time to get spring-flowering bulbs planted for 2011.

While the nights are drawing in, there is still enough warmth in the air to look after the garden before it becomes time to retire to the heat of the greenhouse for the winter.

Seeds should be collected and sown from perennials and hardy annuals, while any remaining potatoes should be dug up before slugs waste them.

Pond owners should also consider putting a net over their water to keep the leaves out when they fall from the trees during autumn, while watering should still be carried out using rain or grey water where possible.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently launched a series of qualifications which will suit everyone from beginner to expert.