Instead of leaving the vegetable garden to lie fallow over winter, Jennifer Brodie of REMIN, the volcanic rock dust soil additive that is made in Scotland, has this advice: “Rake over the soil. Using a dibber make 5cm holes, 14cm apart. Pop in field beans then topdress with REMIN. The beans will germinate before winter so should be covered with fleece if frost is forecast.

“Nodules on the roots will anchor nitrogen in the soil and the green foliage will put carbon into the soil, nurturing it over the next five months. This foliage can be dug in once you are ready for planting next year.”

Scottish Gardener:

TOP TIP
Take cuttings of salvias and other borderline hardy perennials and grow them on in the greenhouse in case of winter loses in the garden. An alternative is to lift whole plants, pot them up and move them under cover until spring, keeping them slightly moist until its time to plant them out again.

WHAT TO DO NOW
On a bright day in autumn there’s no better place to be than in the garden but even wet weather cannot subdue the fiery colours and smoky tones of dahlias and chrysanthemums and foliage on the turn. There’s lots to do now to get the garden ready for winter, but resist the temptation to tidy up too much. Berries on the branch, leaves piled up in a quiet corner and fallen apples left on the lawn, will all provide food and safe habitats for wildlife during the cold months.

  • Collect fallen leaves and pile into wire bins or punctured bin liners to make leafmould.
  • Plant spring bulbs in borders and containers.
  • Lift and divide congested perennials, discarding spent sections and replanting young, fresh roots.
  • Prune climbing roses to prevent wind rock during the winter months.
  • Divide auriculas and replant in small pots of gritty compost. Protect from winter rain.
  • Clean the greenhouse to remove pests and fungal diseases.
  • Plant shallots and garlic.
  • Take hardwood cuttings of cornus, willow and forsythia.
  • Clear the vegetable garden of spent leaves and stalks and cover with a thick layer of mulch.
  • Lift dahlia and begonia tubers, remove foliage and store in a cool, dry place until spring.
  • Plant out wallflower, Bellis and primulas.
  • Spike the lawn with a fork or aereator to reduce compaction and prevent waterlogging.
  • Move established trees and shrubs and plant bare root hedges.
  • Rejuvenate old rhubarb crowns by splitting and replanting young, healthy sections.
  • Harvest pumpkins before they become frosted.