California Dreaming
All the leaves are brown will surly not be a fitting
analogy of what we can look forward to in this autumns palette, according to
the Royal Horticultural Society as it is predicting a spectacular display of
autumn colour this year due to the wet summer and recent warm sunny weather.
RHS Garden Wisley Curator, Colin Crosbie says, “The
wet weather over the summer helped trees produce large volumes of leaves and
rather than shed them, as they would do in a dry year, they have retained them.
Increased sugar levels in trees as a result of the recent lovely warm sunny
days we have been enjoying will also boost autumn colours.
“As the weather
starts getting cooler and the chlorophyll that gives leaves their green colour
begins breaking down it will expose yellow, orange and red pigments that, as
long as we don’t get heavy rain or winds, should provide an incredible display
of colour from trees this autumn.”
I have noticed the
cold temperatures at night and warm days have started the process of leaves
turning in the gardens and woods around the south hams. Ornamental trees will
begin to show glorious autumn colour first, with natives such as oak trees and
beech providing further spectacular sights later on in the season.
So an afternoon
cruising along the river dart or walking at Gallants bower above Dartmouth
Castle or a romp through Longwood in Kingswear will be richly rewarded.
But what to do with
all of those leaves for surly a vast amount of sweeping and leaf blowing is on
the cards. Well don’t burn them, though the smell can evoke memories of child
hood, the best use will be to compost as many as one can get your hands on.
Leaf litter is
nature’s way of taking care off its own, just scrape away the top few inches of
soil in the woods to discover how the soil is fed.
A leaf mould bin is
easily constructed from four wooden posts and four meters of medium gauge
chicken wire, fill the cage with leaves and keep topping up as leaves are
gathered.
It’s a good idea to
cover the top with a square of old carpet to stop the gathered leaves blowing
out.
Good quality, well-rotted leaf mould (more than two years old) can be used as seed-sowing compost, or mixed equally with sharp sand, garden compost and good quality soil for use as potting compost.
Poor quality leaf mould, or leaf mould that is less than two years old can be used as mulch, soil improver, autumn top-dressing for lawns, or winter covering for bare soil.
Sowing
and planting
- In sheltered spots
you can sow over wintering broad beans in situ . Cover the trench with
fleece or cloches to provide insulation in colder areas, as well as
protection from pigeons.
- Carrots and peas can
still be sown in cold frames, but only in mild areas.
- Plant out spring
cabbages if not already done. Remember to net them for protection from
pigeons.
- Finish planting
autumn onion sets for a crop in early to mid-summer next year.
- Plant garlic cloves.
General
care
- Dig up outdoor tomato
plants and hang them upside-down in the greenhouse to allow the fruits to
ripen. Any that don’t ripen can be used green in chutneys.
- Cut back asparagus
foliage if not already done last month. Take care of the spines, and give
the plants some mulch afterwards.
- Now is a good time to
get ahead and prepare new asparagus beds for planting up in the spring.
- When clearing old pea
and bean plants, simply cut off the tops for the compost heap, and dig the
roots into the soil. They return valuable nitrogen to the earth, acting as
a natural fertiliser.
- October is a good
time to tidy up the plot by digging over vacant areas of the vegetable
plot, and composting any green waste but avoid any seed heads of plant
like poppies and tenacious weeds as these will not die off in a cold heap.
