Autumn and winter gardening tips from Coolings’ Plant Doctor Mark Reeve

Autumn and winter gardening tips from Coolings’ Plant Doctor Mark Reeve

3:22pm Wednesday 2nd October 2013 in Leisure latest news

Autumn and winter gardening tips from Coolings’ Plant Doctor Mark Reeve

Now that summer is a distant memory, here are a few tips ideas to settle your garden in for the autumn and winter months, writes Plant Doctor Mark Reeve of Coolings Garden Centre.

Don’t forget get your pots! Many plants, especially evergreens ones, can freeze in their pots in winter.

If the roots freeze they can’t take up any water so the plant dies. Move them somewhere sheltered near the house to protect them. 

If they cannot be moved then use bubble wrap to wrap around the pot to insulate it. It might not look pretty but it may save your favourite plant.

Fleece can be used on top growth to keep off a few degrees of frost but check the plant regularly as mould and rots can set in. We stock the fleece and bubble wrap at Coolings.

The autumn and winter months are good times (rain and frost permitting) to plant trees and shrubs.

Many trees create a fantastic show later in the year. Many Japanese cherries have good leaf colour as well as spring flowers.

Trees such as Amelanchier, Liquidambar and Nyssa light up the garden in autumn. If you only have room for shrubs then Acers (Japanese maple), Cotinus (smoke bush), Enkianthus and Hamamelis (witch hazel) put on a stunning show.

• Autumn and winter gardening tips from Coolings’ Plant Doctor Mark Reeve
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