Gardening with Pat Duke: Always take the weather with you

In the Garden 

It’s often said by those who emigrate to hotter climes that they miss the seasons we have here. One of the ways to enjoy the coming months is to immerse yourself in tasks that different weather patterns bring. 

One of those jobs that also comes with a dopamine surge, is taking cuttings and creating new plants from what are effectively twigs. At a time when we are clearing beds it’s a natural progression to think about filling all those gaps and getting involved in some redesign. 

Propagating cuttings can save you a fortune and is as easy as falling off a log. The ideal shoot is half woody and half green at the end. These are called ‘semi ripe’ or ‘semi hardwood’. Commonly they are herbs like rosemary or lavender, but flowering shrubs like penstemon are great candidates too. If like many people you repeat patterns in the garden, like for example, planting marigold alongside verbena then taking cuttings will expand that cycle and will cost you nothing. 

Once you’ve selected the cutting and made the cut just below a leaf node at an angle, remove all the leaves, leaving just a few at the end. These will act as a source to provide energy for root development. The next step is crucial in that time is a factor. Immediately after separating it from the main stem the cutting will start to decompose so try and plan it so that you can plant it simultaneously around the edge of a pot filled with compost and then water in. Try and use free draining compost or add some sharp sand. This will make it inviting for roots to find their way down and across in search of essential nutrients to grow stronger. 

If you’re not taking cuttings then you’re missing out on a major gardening discipline that is both exciting and cost effective. 

On the Plot 

September is traditionally winding down time on the allotment. Whilst there is less anticipation about this time of year there are still crops to plant. Get winter hardy lettuces in like ‘Winter Hardy’, a cos variety or a Butterhead variety like ‘Winter Imperial’. You can also buy a winter lettuce seed mix that might even last until spring if you’re careful with succession sowing.  

Spring cabbage and winter spinach are two other reliable stagers that can be grown from seed now. Winter hardy ‘White Lisbon’ spring onion will keep going right through too if sown every fortnight then planted outside when its got a decent root system. 

If you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse/polytunnel, then keep feeding tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers and only stop when the fruits have stopped growing. It can get a bit overcrowded in there with foliage everywhere. Take the opportunity to remove yellowing leaves or growth that won’t produce fruit. It’s important to increase the air flow and direct as much light as possible towards developing fruit as the days start to get shorter. This will also make it harder for pests and bacteria to help themselves to your crop. 

Late sown sweetcorn should be ready now. Just push a thumb into a kernel and if  a milky substance leaks out then they are ready. Cut down the remaining stems and bash with a hammer to release some frustration but also accelerate the composting process. 

Stock up on tea making facilities in the shed. You’ll no doubt be spending some time in there between showers looking out as the rain races down the guttering and into the butts. 

The shed is an underrated space for plotting, reflection and contemplation, so make it as comfortable as you possibly can in order to utilise that quiet time whilst you’re unplugged from the digital age. Put a book in there and a pad and pen so you can draw up plans for next season, if not world domination.