Peter Brown and Chris Day start preparing for winter as well as providing us with a roundup of the latest news and views from the world of gardening.

What’s on

Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd October: Buckingham Garden Centre’s Apple Weekend with Gerry Edwards, The Mid Shires Orchard Group, CPRE The Countryside Charity, BBOWT, Chrissie’s Owls (Saturday), plus Junior Gardening Club’s children’s best dressed apple competition. The North Buckinghamshire Beekeepers Association Honey Show is on the Sunday.

Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th October: Waterperry Gardens Apple Weekend.

Saturday 15th October, 10am-5pm: Autumn Fair at Harcourt Arboretum, Oxfordshire.

Thursday, 20 October, 13:00 - 14:15: Garden Tour at Garden Organic, Ryton Gardens, COVENTRY, Warks, CV8 3LG.

In the news

Plants named after the late The Queen Elizabeth II, include Clematis montana var. rubens 'Elizabeth' was bred by Jackmans in the 1950s.

The list includes Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth' bred by Lammerts Rosa 'The Queen's Jubilee' was launched to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth II' was bred by Harkness Roses

Our Dig It top five apple maiden varieties

1 ‘Discovery’

2 ‘James Grieve’

3 ‘Cox’s Self-Fertile’

4 ‘Arthur Turner’

4 ‘Egremont Russet’

In the news

Ball Colegrave announce the top varieties voted by visitors to their trade event back in the summer.

Last year was the Year of the Courgette and Fleuroselect in conjunction with Royal Horticultural Society grew some 70 different varieties at two of their gardens at Bridgewater and Rosemoor. The plants were judged by the RHS technical committee and these new varieties were awarded the top Award of Garden Merit (AGM) Cucurbita ‘Color’, ‘Lorea’ and ‘Brice’.

RHS Hyde Hall reveals people’s choice Viola winner

Updated - Plants and their toxicity the HTA Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants and now includes pets. You can access it at this link

Product mentions

Homebase Peat Free, Aldi Peat Free, Westland New Horizon Peat Free (best of the bunch so far) and Miracle Gro Peat Free.

Vine weevil Control– opt for Bug Clear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer as a soil drench or look at natural nematotode control.

Plant mentions

Spring bulbs including Alliums, Crocus, Daffodils, Snowdrops and Hyacinths for planting now. Tulips often benefit from being planted a little later into the autumn and early winter. Don’t delay get your ‘prepared’ hyacinths and Narcissi ‘Paperwhite’ established if you are looking for Christmas colour. Available in store. Heuchera and Heucherella plants with their decorative foliage work well with bulbs in borders and in containers.

As the soil becomes more workable, think about getting your autumn onions and garlic established before the weather turns cold.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music.

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