# Longer days are welcomed and warmer temperatures[we hope]

# October is a busy month, particularly in the vegetable garden. But be warned, some things prefer it quite warm so wait until end of month.

# Start to fertilise…as with warmer soils and moisture plants put on good growth, especially citrus, roses and fruit trees.

# Sow carrot and parsnip seed. Put a board on row of parsnip. This keeps them moist during germination. Don’t forget to take it off after 10 days. Take time to sow carrots or use seed tapes so you don’t have to thin.

# Sow pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini etc. seeds in peat pots in warm spot, too plant out at end of month, without having to disturb them. Read more about Gardening Jobs for October 2018 by Judith Halford

# Enjoy the scents of winter, Daphne and Winter Sweet. Pick the flowers to prune, encouraging new growth and therefore flowers for next year.

#  The shortest day has past but still time to plant your garlic. Push each clove into the soil, about finger length and the point facing up.

#  Plant new fruit trees…plums, peaches pears etc.

# Purchase new and plant replacement roses. Remember to remove soil where old rose was and replace with rose compost. When planting a new rose bed add lots of compost and use slow release fertiliser under each plant. This will begin to work as the soil warms up in spring.

#  Sharpen, clean[with hot soapy water], and  oil secateurs and loppers for your rose pruning.Avoid walking on garden beds when very wet.

# Prune gooseberry, blackcurrants, grapes raspberries and rambling boysenberries. Read more about Gardening Jobs for July 2017 by Judith Halford

# With moist weather seedling weeds will appear, so hoe or fork out and allow to die in the sun.

# Cut down tops of asparagus and give good dressing of general fertiliser.

#Plant spring maturing cabbage, cauli, silver beet, spinach, Kale and broccoli seedlings. Continue to liquid feed leeks, they love worm wee.

# Sow lupin or mustard seed, in vacant areas, digging plants into the soil in early spring to boost fertility.

#  Prepare ground for onion seedlings and garlic, digging in compost and sheep pellets.

#May is the last month to plant spring flowering bulbs, before the soil gets too cold.

#Get ready to put frost cloth over frost tender plants or move pots to a sheltered position.

#Collect fallen leaves and add to compost or use as mulch on the garden.

# Lily bulbs will be available in garden centre in May. Read more about Gardening Jobs for May by Judith Halford

#  Keep up the watering. Remember to water early in the morning if possible and give a good soak rather than a light sprinkle.  We can help with installing a fixed irrigation system if this would make watering easier for you.

# Remove spent blooms from your flowering plants e.g. roses, petunias and geraniums. This will encourage them to continue too flower and give them more fertilizer.

# It is time too plant leeks and Brussels sprout plants for winter eating.

# Lightly trim the dead flowers from lavenders and hebes. This will help to stop them becoming leggy.

# Watch for white butterfly caterpillars on your cabbage, broccoli etc. either spray with Mavrik, dust with Derris Dust or squeeze them with fingers.

# Cut down to the ground,  canes of raspberries that fruited, leaving new growth which will fruit  next year. Read more about Gardening Jobs for February 2017

#  Protect newly planted seedlings from the wind and the hot sun, using windbreak cloth or shade cloth. Only water in the evening, then the plants has all night to absorb the moisture. Never water during the heat of the day, as you can burn the leaves and give garden a good soaking regularly, rather than a light sprinkle.

#  Keep garden free of weeds and give plants a light dressing of general fertilizer.

# Tie up tomatoes, and remember to take out the laterals if you want nice tidy plants.

# Look at zucchinis daily, so you don’t end up with marrows.

# Potatoes planted in September, or earlier, can be dug and I bet they will be delicious with a little butter and mint sauce {bring to the boil, then turn element down very low] Read more about Gardening Jobs to do in December 2017