Weekend Work: Time to plant heather

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What to do

Heathers settle well if planted now, provided roots are well spread out to provide an anchor.

Take cuttings from heathers, choosing short sideshoots that haven't flowered. Pull them off with a heel (a sliver of old wood) attached and bury them up to half their length, putting several in a pot of compost. Over winter, put cuttings in a cold frame.

Strangely, daturas seem to have done well in pots outside this summer, but all such tropicana should be safely in the shelter of a greenhouse now. Prune daturas if they have become misshapen.

The days of fuchsias may be numbered. When frost strikes and foliage dies down, bring the plants into a greenhouse or garage for the rest of winter.

Plant sweet williams and stocks for cottage garden beds next summer.

What to see

A final flourish of events in gardens all over the country celebrates autumn colour and autumn produce. At the RHS garden, Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB, there's an apple festival today and tomorrow (10am-4pm); 01423 565418, rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr. Head gardener David Ward is leading a walk round Beth Chatto's garden, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex CO7 7DB, today (10am-2pm); 01206 822007; bethchatto.co.uk. At Mallet Court Nursery, Curry Mallet, Taunton, Somerset TA3 6SY, today (2-4pm) James Harris is talking about the value of bark and berries in the garden. Tel: 0845 612 1253 ; malletcourt.co.uk