Island Life Magazine Ltd October/ November 2012 | Page 91

What's in sea son?
Divide a nd con qu er
Hardy perennials start to look rather tatty
after a few years, so they benefit from
being dug up and divided now. This is
also a good way of eradicating weeds
such as couch grass and bindweed
that start to take over. Select vigorous
sections from the outside of the clump.

Broa d Bea ns
Broad beans can be sown outdoors in
October and November to produce early
crops in May. They will germinate in two
to four weeks depending on the weather
and will grow slowly throughout the winter.
If very severe weather is forecast they will
appreciate protection with horticultural
fleece.

K eep cal m a nd ca rry on pla nting
The autumn is generally the best time of
year to plant or transplant trees, shrubs,
roses and hedges. Spring bulbs are
always planted now; tulips can be planted
until the end of November as long as the
ground is not frozen. Garlic also benefits
from being planted in the autumn instead
of the spring.