Page 33 - Real Rochdale Issue 15 Autumn 2022

GARDENING TIPS

FOR AUTUMN

ABOUT THE WRITER
Silvana Devine is a social and therapeutic
horticulture practitioner at Petrus Incredible Edibles
Rochdale (PIER) which is a community allotment on
Belfield Road in Rochdale.

Autumn is here and the nights are getting shorter but there’s still a lot to do in the garden.
A great way to save money is to check the perennials in your garden. Popular perennials like
agapanthus and dahlias need to be protected during winter.

Agapanthus
Our Silver-Gilt medal winning garden at the
RHS Flower Show Flower Park had 50
agapanthus plants (50 agapanthus for our Other perennials that can be divided at this
50th anniversary)! time of year include geraniums, delphiniums,

crocosmia, hostas and salvias. Dividing plants
To protect agapanthus from a harsh winter, is a great way to increase your garden stock
leave the foliage on the plant (cutting off any without the expense. It is also another way to
remaining spent seedheads) and cover the garden sustainably, so it’s great for the planet
crown with straw or fleece over winter to too.
protect from frost.

If you have vegetables, harvest the last
If your agapanthus are in containers, move potatoes and leave in a dry spot (greenhouse/
them into sheds/greenhouses or a very windowsill) before storing in a brown paper or
sheltered spot near the house. hessian bag for longer term storage. Plant out
spring cabbages, garlic and onions, but only do
If your agapanthus are around five years old, so if the soil isn’t too damp.
you can divide congested clumps by lifting the
clump from the container or ground and using If herbs are still growing outside, such as mint,
a sharp spade (or old bread knife) to divide, parsley and basil, repot on kitchen windowsill
ensuring there are growing points in each for use over winter. Alternatively, harvest all
divided section. the leaves and freeze using ice-cube trays, so
you can continue to flavour your cooking with
Dahlias herbs all year round.
Dahlias need to be lifted and stored ready for next year. Cut back all the stems to about 10cm above
the ground, dig up the tuber with a garden fork, being careful not to damage the tuber. Remove any Autumn is a great time to take stock of your
excess soil and leave tubers upturned in a cool, dry place for around a fortnight. gardening and make plans for next year. If
you’d like some inspiration or more
Following this, they can be stored in a box with peat-free compost, with their stems protruding above information and gardening tips, pop along to
the surface, ready to be planted next spring. the PIER allotment on Belfield Road, Rochdale.

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