ROOT CROPS : The soil beckons our attention today! Dig up mature maincrop potatoes like ‘Maris Piper’ and ‘Désirée’ when foliage has completely died back, using a garden fork inserted 30cm away from plants to avoid piercing tubers. / Prepare ground for autumn root crops by removing stones and breaking up soil clumps to a fine tilth to a depth of 25cm. / Sow winter radish varieties such as ‘Black Spanish Round’ and ‘China Rose’ in rows 20cm apart, thinning seedlings to 10cm spacing once established. / In heavier soils, incorporate sharp sand at a ratio of 1:4 to improve drainage for upcoming carrot sowings.
LANDSCAPING : Late summer brings a second wind to ornamental gardens! Divide overcrowded bearded irises by lifting clumps, cutting rhizomes into 10cm sections with healthy fans of leaves, and replanting with the rhizome surface exposed to the sun. / Deadhead dahlias, rudbeckias and echinacea by cutting spent blooms back to the first set of leaves to encourage continued flowering into early autumn. / My hands still carry the earthy scent from trimming lavender hedges this morning – cut back to 2cm above the woody stems but never into old wood. / Apply a thin layer of compost around perennials to help retain moisture while temperatures remain high.
INDOORS : Houseplant care takes center stage as we prepare for seasonal transitions. Check the root systems of potbound specimens by gently easing plants from their containers – repot those with circling roots into pots just 2-3cm larger using fresh compost. / Reduce watering frequency for cacti and succulents as they enter their semi-dormant period, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. / Wipe dust from broad-leaved tropical plants using a damp cloth to maintain their photosynthetic efficiency and natural luster. / Move sensitive plants away from windows that will soon receive direct afternoon sun as the angle changes with approaching autumn.