Eastern Flavour

Caulk Wight garlic is a large-closed, east-to-peel, 'hardneck'garlic from eastern Europe that has been selected by seed company D T Brown for its spicy flavour and ability to withstand temperatures down to -20C.
Above ground it displays a distinctive, dark green, vigorous, wide leaf formation, while underground the bulb is enclosed in tight leaf wrappers, avoiding the pitfall of many hardneck types when grown in damp climate, of splitting and opening out. Dried in the open, on a verandah or in a greenhouse, the outer leaves which protected it while underground slip away when dry to display beautiful, plump. pink cloves with purple marbling.
Caulk Wight is ideal for autumn planting; three bulbs cost £8.95, and can be ordered from D. T. Brown, Western Avenue, Matrix Park, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 7NB, telephone 0845 3710532, or go online www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk

 

WHAT TO DO NOW

  • Gather up fallen leaves into wire bins or plastic bags, punctured with holes, then leave to break down into leafmould.
  • Dig up and divide congested perennials then replant young sections in soil that has been enriched with compost.
  • Move houseplants indoors before night time temperatures fall.
  • Pick unripe tomatoes and bring them indoors. Place on a sunny windowsill until they turn red.
  • Fork over soil where crops have been lifted to allow birds to peck on grubs and slugs.
  • Reduce by one third long branches of buddleia and lavatera to prevent them from being uprooted by wind during the winter.
  • Don't discard chilli peppers. Instead cut them back hard and bring them indoors to overwinter. They will fruit again next summer.
  • Plant spring bulbs, covering daffodils and tulips with at least twice their own depth of soil. When planting in pots, cover with chicken wire to protect from mice and squirrels.
  • Weed thoroughly, disposing of perennial weeds in garden recycling bins and adding annual weeds to the compost heap.
  • Cut back dead foliage but leave decorative seed heads and grasses to provide winter structure.
  • Plant out Spring cabbages.
  • Give lawns a final cut. Hedges can also be trimmed in mild areas.
  • Insulate the greenhouse with Bubblewrap and check that the heater is working.
  • Start preparing the ground for new hedges and trees. Bare-root plants will become available from the end of October.
  • Take hardwood cutting of roses and forsythia.