Autumn work
As we move into autumn thoughts of putting the garden to bed for the winter are in our minds. But... don't be too hasty, extreme tidiness can rob the garden of interest and be an enemy to your garden wildlife.
Overwintering seed heads, particularly of some herbaceous plants, provide late food for birds and insects, as well as some stunning pictures when rimed with frost on a cold winter's morning. Good examples are alliums (ornamental onion), verbena, achillea and ornamental grasses; all to be seen in the Walled Garden here at Croxteth. Do clear up fallen leaves from the borders but consider leaving those shed onto shrub borders and under trees as nature intended. Compost all waste for a rich treat for your spring borders. However don't include rose prunings as domestic composting cannot generate the heat needed to destroy fungus that cause many of the dread rose diseases.
The last of the fruit will be ripening now and if you have them, you will need to be quick to beat the wasps to the plums and figs. If you have visited the Walled Garden this year you will have admired the trained fruit trees. Why not try an apple, pear or cherry trained onto wall or frame in your own garden. It is quite easy and can even be achieved with a tree in a pot. Even a dwarf tree will give a worthwhile crop after a few years. Our expert gardeners will be happy to give you advice on how to achieve your own mini orchard - although it may be some time before some of the historic shapes seen in the garden can be achieved!
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