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Paradise Park
Avis Road
Newhaven
East Sussex
BN9 0DH
T 01273 512123
F 01273 616000

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July    August    September    October    November    December

Growth is stopping and plants are becoming dormant. It is still a good time to plant and tidy the garden up providing that the weather is favourable. It is important if you are planting that the soil is not waterlogged or frozen as this will prevent root growth and may eventually kill the plant. Both conditions are difficult to garden in so use common sense. If your instinct says sit on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate, follow that instinct. At this time of the year there is very little hurry to do anything, it will still be there next week.

• Flowers and bedding
  As it gets colder you will need to consider replacing your autumn bedding (Miracle cyclamen, Solanum, other borderline hardy plants) with more robust plants like Primula Wanda and Pansies. Dig beds over and clean containers that aren't in use. Tidy alpines and re-dress with grit if necessary.

• Perennials
  Finish digging. Use leaf mould to protect tender plants by piling it in a heap on top of them. Tidy,clean and store supports. Still ok to plant.

• Shrubs and climbers
  It is also still a good time to plant shrubs and climbers. Protect more tender plants with a screen of fleece or polythene. This will keep the very worst of the weather off them.

• Trees and hedges
  Continue planting hedges

• Roses
  Continue planting roses

• Lawns
  Finish laying turf if the weather is suitable. Continue cutting the lawn if it needs it. If the ground is soggy though, it is better to leave it. Use autumn lawn food.

• Vegetables
  Sow broad beans and sow lettuce indoors.

• Fruit
  Plant trees and bushes. Start winter pruning (except cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums or damsons). Check stakes and cut out cankers.

• Pond
  Finish tidying and thinning. Leave foliage on marginals or cover with leaf mould to protect from frost. Cover pond with netting to keep falling leaves out.

• Greenhouse
  Water sparingly.

• Indoors
  Reduce watering.