Gardening Update: Weekend work
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Your support makes all the difference.PRUNE out the old stems of cultivated blackberries now, and tie the new stems into position for next year. If you are putting in new plants, try growing them over metal sheep-netting fixed horizontally to the top of waist-high stakes. It takes a bit of space but the picking is easy.
Time now to take 12in hardwood cuttings off currants and gooseberries, if your plants are past their best. It is worth getting your cuttings from someone who has vigorous, healthy plants. Failing that, buy newer, disease-resistant varieties.
Evergreens and conifer hedges should all be planted by now if they are to make any new roots before the winter. A little temporary wind protection can be of great benefit in the first winter.
If you like good supplies of fresh parsley at Christmas, try putting a cloche over a few plants now and you should have a reasonable quantity to pick all winter.
A dry windy afternoon is a good opportunity to give the lawn a last trim before winter. If you like to keep the grass closely mown in summer, try lifting the blades to 1in or so for this last cut. It gives the turf a little more to live on during the dormant season, and will mean it gets off to a stronger start next spring. But do make sure you use a grassbox, even if you are only taking off the lightest of haircuts. Clippings left on the lawn at this time of year will encourage yellowing and fungal diseases.
It is (almost) never too late to plant tulips. There are still a lot for sale in garden centres, and any time up to Christmas will still give good results. If you do not intend to lift them each year, plant them fully six to seven inches deep.
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