Fact Sheet 51
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THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 51
18th September 2005
THE DIARY THE FLOWER GARDEN: Time to plant containerised trees. Containerised trees should now be available for autumnal planting. If you are considering planting any kind of tree then early autumn is the best time to plant woody perennials. The ground is still warm after the summer months and the weather helps us retain some moisture thanks to regular rainfall. The main thing to consider is will your tree be right for your situation? Scan through your gardening books to find a specimen that will fit the area you're considering. Be careful though when revising through your gardening books as some of them will give you the average height in 10-20 years and some will give their ultimate height. If you're unsure then ask at your local nursery or garden centre. Remember to prepare the soil with a Tree & Shrub compost and also purchase a strong stake to support the tree in its first vital years in the garden. Check out The Gardeners Diary page on this site for more information on planting trees.
THE GREENHOUSE: Remove shading With light levels now starting to fade it's time to remove the shading from the greenhouse. If you have used the white wash type then removal will just mean getting a cloth and wiping it off. Nylon fabric types should be carefully removed and stored somewhere safe for the winter months and pins and insulation clips should be placed in a container ready for the insulation early next month. By removing the shading you will increase the amount of illumination for your crops to stop them from getting drawn up. If you have any shade lovers then place these underneath staging or cover to keep them from getting scorched from the midday sun.
LAWN CARE: Sow new areas of lawn This month is probably the last time to sow a new lawn from seed. Rake the area level, removing any large clumps and stones. Once the area is in a fine tilth apply a general purpose fertiliser. Use about a handful per square metre. Lightly rake this in and then apply the seed thinly. This will allow you to remove any weed seed which germinates amongst your new area of lawn. If the weather is dry keep well watered and don't cut the blades until the turf reaches about 9cm in height. PEST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK: Fruit tree grease for affective control Many adult insects will now be looking for host plants to continue the next generation by either laying eggs on the stems or in the crevices of the bark. They could be hibernating on the plants themselves. A lot of these pests will land on the ground and then walk up the trunk to their resting places. To stop them just place some fruit tree grease onto the bark this week. Paint two bands of 15cm in width around the girth of the tree. One 15-30cm up from ground level and another just below the main break of branches. If the tree has a stake for support, paint this as well. This should mean a rather sticky end for some of these unwanted lodgers and will hopefully reduce the amount of spraying needed to be done next year.
Listen to The Gardener's Diary with Luke Ashmead on BBC Three Counties Radio every Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm Contact The Gardener's Diary Here BBC Three Counties Radio 94.7, 98, 103.8, 95.5 and 104.5FM | 
