Garden Action

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 WEEKLY GARDEN CALENDAR, SEPTEMBER WEEK 4


Susan Explains Layering
An easy and cheap way to propagate plants is by layering them. Simply bend down a stem to ground level, then cover the part which is now touching the soil with more soil. The end of the stem should be above ground level. Firm the soil down over the bent stem (you can peg it down if it looks like popping up again) and leave till next autumn. Sever the rooted stem from the main plant and plant in the garden.

Plants which readily grow from layering include potentillas, other semi-woody shrubs, blackberries and clematis. For more information on layering, click here.

Strawberries
If you haven't done so already then clear out all the straw and debris from your strawberry beds. If you don't do this then they will become diseased by next year.

Brussels Sprouts
Make sure you remove all the dying leaves at the base of you Brussels Sprouts. Also pick off any caterpillars you can see. Soon the cold weather will kill the caterpillars off anyway but the more help you can provide to stop them munching the leaves then the better.

Apples
Pick up and throw on the compost heap any fallen apples. If you leave them on the ground they will attract wasps which may then go on to eat into your good apples on the tree.

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