Celebrated green-fingered guru Monty Don has shared the quintessential garden addition you need to plant imminently for years of “beauty” to follow.
Gracing the pages of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine in a feature fondly coined ‘The Full Monty’, the beloved gardening presenter asserted that now is the opportune time to settle hedges into the ground, taking advantage of the October soil warmth.
Monty elaborated that setting them down during this period ensures root establishment with “little or no demand”, and reassured budding horticulturists that sophisticated green thumb skills are not a necessity for this autumnal endeavour.
Monty stated: “So plant hedges. Make them low, tall, straight and curved. October is the best month because the soil is warm, and the roots will get established with little or no demand from the foliage.”
He advised on choosing modestly-sized plants for both financial savviness and swifter growth. With simple maintenance weed-free bases and mulching and trimming post-bird nesting season, a minimalistic approach seems to suffice, reports the Mirror.
He concluded: “Then trim once a year after the birds have nested and the young fledged. That’s it. Not a lot of room for horticultural expertise or opportunities for displaying your gardening credentials. But decades of pleasure and beauty await you.”
However, Monty underscored that hedge planting isn’t the sole focus this autumn; earlier on Gardeners’ World he enlightened viewers on prepping bulbs now to ensure a vibrant spring display.
Monty Don, the gardening guru, has emphasised that planting bulbs is the “biggest” and most “essential job” for gardeners as autumn progresses into October, with a special focus on ensuring good drainage. He opts for pots with ample drainage, using one with a significant hole at the base and additional side holes, placing a crock at the bottom for better water flow.
He has previously advised: “And really, most bulbs are better planted in September, if you can get it done. It’s not essential; you can plant in October, and tulips shouldn’t be planted till November and December.”
Monty also underscores the importance of taking cuttings in autumn to keep your garden thriving into the next season. He assures that this simple task can yield “scores of new plants for free.”
A cutting will grow into a replica of the original plant, with semi-ripe cuttings taken during the current season considered best.
