Dahlias are known for their incredibly diverse and colourful flowers, ranging from small, daisy-like blooms to large, pompom shapes. They are a favourite for late summer and autumn gardens, providing beautiful cut flowers
The nation’s favourite gardener, Monty Don, has shared his top jobs for the month of October, including a hack to help you get one final bloom from your dahlias this autumn.
Now that autumn is here, there’s plenty to keep green-fingered enthusiasts busy in preparation for the cold winter months. And according to Monty, there’s a key step everyone should follow to make the most of their dahlias.
Writing on his blog, he advises: “Keep deadheading throughout October, particularly the equatorial plants like dahlias. This will extend their flowering season and squeeze the last bloom from them.
“Spent dahlia flowers can be tricky to differentiate from unopened buds, but the foolproof difference is that when they have finished flowering they become pointed and a cone shape, whereas the unopened buds are rounded.”
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The gardener also has some money-saving advice to share. He suggests collecting seeds from perennial plants for use next season, noting they should be placed in paper (not polythene) bags, and stored in a cool, dry place until ready for sowing.
It’s also the perfect time to bring render plants in under cover before they need protection from the cold, and to plant or move deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges as the soil is still warm so the roots will begin to grow immediately.
According to Monty, it is essential to give them a really good soak when you do so and to repeat this weekly until the ground is really wet or the leaves have fallen.
He further notes that it is best to start with any evergreens before deciduous plants as they need to maximise root growth before winter kicks in. Deciduous plants, on the other hand, can be moved or planted any time between October and the middle of March.
When it comes to the lawn, gardeners should keep cutting the grass for as long as it keeps growing – although it is better to have the grass too long than too short over the winter months.
It’s also fine to continue to plant spring bulbs – although wait another month for tulips – and to sow sweet peas.
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By sowing sweet peas in October, you will have bigger plants with a stronger root system that should give flowers next spring earlier and last longer. But the young plants will need storing and some protection over winter if the weather is bad.
Monty advises sowing some now and another batch in February to help spread the risk. He puts three seeds in a three inch pot and uses a good potting rather than seed compost.
They are then put out to germinate on a windowsill or greenhouse and once the first leaves have grown, are placed outside in a cold frame or protected spot. They only need protection from hard frosts, mice, and becoming sodden, so do not provide any extra heat, the pro says, and they will be ready to plant out in April.
