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I’m finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that autumn is officially here, and the balance has tipped towards longer hours of darkness …. but the glorious warm weather we’re having at the time of writing is certainly compensating for that fact. And I so love the colours that are starting to appear, don’t you?

We have Cornus (Dogwood) in stock; their vibrant red, orange and yellow stems seem to light up when the sun hits them; Cotinus shrubs whose leaves are like burnished copper and mahogany; Gaultheria laden with surreal-looking berries; and yellow flowered Clematis orientalis, which are at their best.

Next to all of these, we get a peek at winter, with the first of the UK grown Cyclamen and Skimmia Rubella already promising colour and form in the months to come. The flower buds are forming on the deliciously scented Sarcococca, as well as on the Vibernum tinus and Camellia sasanqua.

New items in the shop include rustic blue and white pots, perfect for brightening up a patio, with a set of 3 priced at just £24.95. We also have a fantastic range of household brushes from Swedish designer Iris Hantverk, as well as a collection of whimsical paper crafts and bright children’s aprons. An extended range of luscious Heyland and Whittle hand-washes and lotions are now in stock for all hardworking hands, and the first batch of East Dulwich Naturally jams are just in…. I can vouch for the fact that the strawberry is particularly yummy. There are some funky new door mats just in, and priced at only £9.95, and lots of new stock coming in during the month, so allow some time for browsing when you next visit.

Some important “news bites”…

From 1^st October, we will charge 10p for each of our large plastic bags

For 7 years we have resisted charging for the large plastic bags we offer you, but have now decided it is time to do so.

As you already know, these bags are very robust, with a cardboard insert for stability, so withstand being re-used time and time again. They are also fully biodegradable, so when they finally conk out, you don’t have to feel guilty about throwing them out.

We will continue to offer the smaller, thinner green bags free of charge.

Large Christmas tree price increase

Please don’t shoot the messenger! I know this seems ludicrously early to mention the C word, but we are in the process of putting in our final confirmation order for this year’s Christmas trees. The price of smaller trees remains the same as last year, but larger trees have risen in price due to their scarcity. We are, therefore, planning on ordering considerably less of these than usual, but clearly want to ensure you get a larger tree if you want one. The prices will be:

8ft (2.4m) £98

9ft (2.7m) £118

10ft (3m) £138

If you definitely want a tree of this height, at these prices, please click here ……. to let us know. We will then do our utmost to ensure you get what you want, and reserve it for you when it arrives.

50% sale of some items continues ….

We have created a sale table for plants, and a sale corner for shop stock. Canny gardeners will know that buying herbaceous perennials that have gone past their best now, rather than in the spring, means they’ll be stronger and larger next year. They may not look like much at the moment, but you’ll be smugly smiling next year when your specimen is considerably larger than your neighbour’s new one.

The sale items in the shop are from lines that we are discontinuing, as we need the shelf space for lovely new stock.

Animal repellents

We’ve had a tidal wave of people complaining about both cats and foxes messing up their gardens, so thought you might appreciate a reminder of what we have to combat this issue.

“Silent Roar” is a remarkable product. Essentially it is a box full of dehydrated lion poo pellets, which are dipped in lion “essence”. Sprinkled sparingly round your garden they act as an excellent deterrent. Unwanted cats smell the scent of a MUCH bigger cat, and decide to give your garden a wide berth!

“Scoot” is a product Robby and Helen recently sourced at a trade fair, which has built up an excellent reputation as a fox deterrent. It’s brand new in stock.

‘Vintage’ is one year old

It’s hard to believe, but, yes, it’s a year since we launched the new Vintage Shed. We’re so glad it’s been well received, and gets new fans every week. I acquired some delectable new items recently, so come and check them out if you haven’t already done so.

Sally’s “Garden Tasks” sheet below will help you ensure you keep one step ahead, but make sure you take time out to enjoy this gorgeous season.

Warm wishes

Karen

PS   

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm   

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk

Garden Jobs for October

Another season, with lots of vibrant colour, cooling temperatures and work in the garden! It’s a month for tidying, pruning, planting and cleaning, beginning to get the garden ready for winter.

Planting

Keep planting! Look around the garden and see where there are gaps. October is a good planting month.

Wise thoughts

Reading garden literature recently, I found two quotes which I liked. One from the late garden designer Nicole de Vesian, ‘Generally don’t hesitate to cut and trim – all plants love to know they are being cared for and they happily grow back’

And some more advice from another source which I think is a good rule of thumb about planting in the right place: ‘If a plant doesn’t thrive, move it or chuck it out. If a plant thrives too well, get rid of it before it takes over your garden.’

Trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants

As I mentioned last month, autumn is a great time for planting trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials – note the gaps and find something to fill them!

Spring colour

October is the time to plan ahead and plant for spring colour.

• Wallflowers are a quick and easy way to ensure early spring colour and scent.
• Bulbs are begging to be planted! Narcissi, Crocus, Anemone blanda, Hyacinth, Allium, Tulips – there is a wide choice. Bumper packs of tulips enable you to plant in larger numbers for a bigger impact, and there are lots of exciting planting combinations, either to flower together or to overlap.
• If you can’t work out where to plant snowdrops, they can be planted in pots, with a 50:50 compost and sharp sand mix, and put out in the winter months when you see a gap.

Autumn and winter colour

• Plant containers with winter pansies, violas, cyclamen; evergreen perennials such as Heuchera can do well in containers too, and small shrubs which could be planted out in the garden when they outgrow the pot.

Garden maintenance

Leaf fall

• As the leaves begin to fall, keep up with clearing them. Get rid of any diseased leaves, but the rest can be composted, or kept separately as leaf mould. It’s worth mounding a good layer of compost or horse manure around established trees and shrubs, including fruit trees, roses and wisteria. They’ll really benefit from an autumn feed, and will produce stronger growth and more flowers in the spring if mulched now.
• Cover ponds with net to prevent leaves falling in, and net fruit trees to protect precious fruit from the birds.

Plant maintenance

• Continue to divide overcrowded herbaceous perennials.
• If you have plants with attractive seed heads, leave them in situ to enjoy their winter silhouettes, or cut them to dry for winter arrangements – keep some to be used for Christmas decorations.
• Prune late summer-flowering shrubs once their show is over. Lavender can be pruned to keep it neat and tidy – cut within the green stems.
• Prune climbing roses and tie in the stems of these and other climbers to prevent wind damage.
• Collect and dispose of apples and pears showing signs of disease such as brown rot.
• Remove fallen fruit from around trees and shrubs before it rots.

Preparing for cold temperatures

Who knows what the winter months will bring in terms of snow and cold temperatures, so it’s worth being prepared.

• Mulch around more tender plants to keep their roots warmer.
• Check your stock of fleece to protect plants and bubble wrap to protect pots.
• Make space in greenhouses and conservatories to bring tender potted plants inside.
• As temperatures begin to fall, and freezing temperatures are forecast, stop watering and hope that we haven’t had a lot of rain in the month before!

Lawns

Reduce mowing frequency and do some Autumn lawn maintenance as I mentioned last month: scarify, aerate and fertilise. It’s still a good time to lay new lawns from turf.

Pests and disease

• Generally clean and tidy up around the garden – a clean garden is a healthier garden.
• Make sure you remove weeds which can act as a host for pests and diseases over winter.

Wildlife

Feed the birds!! They will keep coming to your garden if you keep the feeders topped up, and leave some water out for them too. They begin to need more calories as the temperature drops and fat balls and suet blocks fit the bill.

I hope that all gives you things to be thinking about. See you next month.

Sally

Opening Hours:– Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk