The next few months are not always the best for spending time outside but there is still much enjoyment to be had on the sunnier days getting outside to tidy up dead foliage and leaves, preparing the soil and replenishing nutrients for the next season with a light fork over and a good thick mulch of a quality soil impover such as manure or garden compost that will ensure your plants grow strong and healthy next year. It’s also a great time to plant hardier stuff such as shrubs, roses, fruit and trees giving them time to establish themselves for the coming year. The fresh air and some light exercise outdoors also does wonders for the soul.
It’s a great time to plant roses. Availabilty is best now when the new season’s stock is just becoming available. Roses are usually field grown and cannot be lifted until they go dormant when the weather gets cooler. They are then potted for you to take away easily and to keep them tip-top until they get back into the ground or a larger container. 