Thompson & Morgan horticulturist and broadcaster Andrew Tokely

brings you useful weekly gardening tips.

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Tokely's Topical Tips Week commencing 10/11/02

1. Clean up Hostas growing in pots or in the open ground. Clean away all leaves that have now died down, and cut back old flower spikes down to the ground. This will leave the crown of the plants clean, with less chance of pest or disease damage. Plants that are in Pots should be moved to a sheltered part of the garden, or placed in a cold Frame for Frost protection. Plants outside should be marked, so you know where they are, and mulch around the crown with compost or leaf mould.

2. November is the ideal month for planting Tulip Bulbs. Always plant bulb at least twice there depth. If you have a windy garden the deeper the bulbs are planted the more sturdy they will be.
3. Fruit Bushes will benefit from having thick mulch of well-rotted Farmyard Manure or Compost. This will help keep the ground free from weeds as well as add nutrients to the soil, and increase your harvest next year.
4. Lift Carrots and Beetroot and Store for the winter. Once lifted cut off tops and store good roots in boxes of sand and keep in a cool Shed. Alternatively with Carrots, remove the tops and store in black plastic bags. Fold the top of the bag over and keep it in a cool frost-free shed or garage. Only Store Good roots, otherwise damaged roots may spread disease to your harvest.
5. Frequently check lifted Tuberous Begonias corms that are drying off. Remove decaying foliage and stems as it withers away from the corm. Always let the foliage gradually turn yellow and die down until it falls away naturally from the corm. Never cut foliage off early, as this is putting goodness back to the corm as it dies down. Once all foliage and stems have withered away, clean up corms and dust with sulphur, then store in paper bags in a cool frost-free place.
6. Insulate greenhouses with Bubble plastic to keep down heating costs. Always leave one or two vents uncovered to allow for ventilation, during the winter months. Changing the air in the greenhouse, on regular bases, is important to stop stagnant air and the spread of fungal diseases.
7. Due to the mild autumn there are still quite a lot of green fly about. Check all stock plants and new cuttings in the greenhouse, if this pest is seen spray with a suitable insecticide or Organic Soap spray. If undetected now they will quickly multiply in the warmth of your glasshouse.
8. If your Runner beans have suffered with black bean Rust this year, take down the old stems and pull up roots and burn them. Sterilize the soil and the canes used with Jeyes Fluid to help prevent the spread of this disease next year. Next year buy new seed, and grow on a fresh piece of ground.