As temperatures drop and the leaves fall all the signs of a late autumn are here. This week I've managed to start clearing up leaves from under the Maple trees in my garden before they get too deep and will continue to do so as more fall over the next few weeks. The compost heap is gradually filling with the green derbies from the tomatoes and old Runner Bean vines and grass cuttings which are helping to hold the moisture and heat the compost up. Clearing up the garden now the days are drawing in and the nights are longer is very important as the Thames Valley is notorious for over-wintering fungal diseases and moss on lawned areas. By clearing away the derbies and keeping the lawn clear of leaves and old grass thatch the usual problems should be kept at bay. PLANT OF THE WEEK: Rambler Rose 'Mannington Mauve Rambler'This fantastic climber has large showy clusters of mauve flowers in mid summer. A vigorous rambler with many good qualities which will grow in most freely draining soil. Make sure the Rose, when in flower, is fed well, as this one is a real greedy feeder and loves to flower. Topical tips | | Honeysuckle |
Rhododendrons, Honeysuckle and Clematis can all be propagated now by means of ground layering. This simple process is easy to perform by following a few rules. Take any whippy growth and bend it towards the soil surface, then anchor the stem to the soil, I find the best way to do this is to cut a piece of wire coat hanger into a section big enough to make a shape like a hair clip and push it over the stem into the soil. This will anchor the shoot and keep it in position and then just pile up some moist compost or forest bark and leave. In the spring the roots should have formed and new plant can be severed from the original and planter on into separate pots. Roses | | The Raymond Carver rose |
Roses are a big favourite in any garden and I have many that I use in my schemes and the ones I have found most successful in most locations are the modern shrub Roses. They are ANNA PAVLOVA which has big blooms with tight petals. The soft delicate pink forms a wonderful backdrop to any border and has the most heady strong scent. The large globular flowers are carried on strong dark green upright shoots. RAYMOND CARVER A tall free flowering shrub with old fashioned amber coloured blooms that have a subtle perfume. The glossy green leaves grow on strong stems which help to support the large blooms during rrainy days and this Rose will also make a useful small wall climber. NORWICH CATHEDRAL was introduced to commemorate the 900th anniversary of one of this country's most beautiful Cathedrals. The scented yellow flowers are stunning and are very freely flowering on this very bushy and upright first class bedding Rose. Mushrooms | | Shittake mushrooms |
If you want something a little different to make your gardening more interesting this winter then why not grow some exotic varieties of mushrooms. A number of the large garden centre chains are shortly to have them in stock. The fungal spores are supplied in packets, either on wooden dowels or cereal grains with all the unnecessary instructions on how to grow them. SHIITAKE, PEARL OYSTER, PINK OYSTER AND WINTER ENOKI are all available and can be grown outside in a shady, damp, sheltered north facing position. By the way, mushrooms are cholesterol free, very low in carbohydrates, virtually fat free and high in easily absorbed vegetable proteins, so they are not only fun to grow, they are good for you as well. Composting | | Colin Evans |
Now is the time to turn green matter from the garden into compost. You can always buy a composter, but these days, they all seem to be made out of plastic and I am not a great lover of them, for many reasons, but mainly they are too small and lose moisture too quickly. I prefer to make my own and providing the composter is about 6 feet square and the same in height then you will have enough room to make plenty. If you have a large garden then more than one is better. The best composters are made of wood with plenty of holes or slits in them to let the air through. Do not use cooked food but green waste from the kitchen or the garden especially grass cuttings is alright, although, perennial weeds such as Couch or Bindweed should be avoided. Keep the heap moist and compacted and add a granular compost accelerator from time to time and you should be using you own compost by next year.  | | Start planting those bulbs |
If you have not yet planted your spring bulbs then get cracking now. The garden centres have some great new varieties of all the usual favourites. Prepare the ground well with a bit of deep digging, add plenty of well rotted manure or compost and spring some slow release granular fertilizer over the area. The bulbs should be planted at least two to three times their own depth. | 
