Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What to do
I wrote last week about hardy annuals to sow outside now for a good show early next year. This is a reminder. If you are sowing direct outside, scatter seed as thinly as possible, cover lightly with sifted soil or compost and firm this down on top of the seeds. Protect with netting until the seedlings are established. Do not thin the seedlings until the spring. Annuals such as poppy, calendula, larkspur, limnanthes, love in the mist, clarkia and cornflower can all be treated in this fashion.
Check ties regularly on top-heavy plants such as chrysanthemums and dahlias – the latter especially suffered during summer's bad weather, but there is still time for them to produce new flowers.
Weed carefully round cyclamen corms which tend to get forgotten after the leaves dive underground. The flowers of C. hederifolium are one of the great treats of early September, but they do not like competition.
What to buy
Jekka McVicar is shutting down her famous herb nursery and this weekend all her plants are being sold off at half price. The sale, which started yesterday, continues today and tomorrow (10am-4pm). Jekka's Herb Farm is at Rose Cottage, Shellards Lane, Alveston, Bristol BS35 3SY. For more details, call 01454 418878 or visit jekkasherbfarm.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments