Autumn Water Garden: Keep an eye out for blanket weed thin strings of bright green algae attached to the bottom surface. Either manually remove the weed or use one of the chemicals available on the market, however if you have water lilies check if the product is compatible. Top up the pond as it evaporates – it is important to keep the water level constant as this will keep the plants in good order and reduces shrinkage. Remove the worst of the autumn leaves as they fall into the pond. A lightweight net such as a fruit cage net will keep out the worst of them. The Lawn: Keep off the nitrogen at this time of year: it will make the growth too soft and prone to disease. As autumn approaches it is always a good time to apply lawn sand to help control mosses. This usually has iron sulphate in the mixture, which helps harden up the grass sward and helps reduce disease. It also makes the lawn a lovely emerald green colour. The Rose: Keep an eye out for disease and spray with fungicide and pesticide – rose clear will do both jobs in one spray. Remove any suckers by tearing them off as close to the base as possible. Do not cut them off as this will multiply the suckers. Once flowering slows down prune hybrid tea shrub branches back by ½ to ⅓ to reduce wind rock and firm soil at the neck. Ornamental Trees: Continue regular clipping of topiary. We use Roundup weed killer around the base of trees for 2-3 feet, which reduces the competition from weeds and makes mowing easier around obstacles. Remove any dead wood and crossing stems or weak forks. Further to the last update on Sudden Oak Death, please keep a sharp look out for the new disease as it is not only affecting oak trees: it is affecting Rhododendrons and Viburnums throughout England. It is caused by Phytophthora ramorum and mature trees wilt and die within months following infection. Symptoms are branches dieing back from the tips, very often in a short time, ending in the death of the plant. Remove the plant and burn it on site as soon as possible. Do not take it to other gardens / nurseries for identification. If the presence of the disease is suspected on these species contact DEFRA Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, tel: 0190 445 5174; for Oaks contact the Forestry Commission Plant Health Service, tel: 0845 367 3787. Further information can be obtained at www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth or www.defra.gov.uk/planth/phindx.htm. Ornamental Shrubs: Remove suckers from grafted plants and prune out reverted shoots on variegated species. Carry out formative training and pruning. Prune shrubs that flower during the spring months where required. Bulbs: Still time to plant your bulbs for that spring show. Back