Monty Don, the nation’s favourite gardening guru, has shared his wisdom on a timeless garden classic that should be planted soon to ensure years of splendour.
In an enlightening piece aptly named ‘The Full Monty’, the beloved TV gardener advised readers of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine to get their hedges in the ground come October when the soil is still “warm”.
He detailed that by planting next month, the roots will bed in effortlessly with “little or no demand”, reassuring us that this autumnal task doesn’t call for “horticultural expertise”.
Monty advised: “So plant hedges. Make them low, tall, straight and curved. October is the best month because the soil is warm, and the roots will get established with little or no demand from the foliage.”
“Plant small and not only will it be much cheaper, but it will also establish much quicker. Keep the base weed free and mulched, and let the leaders of each plant reach the desired height before cutting back.”, reports the Mirror.
“Then trim once a year after the birds have nested and the young fledged. That’s it. Not a lot of room for horticultural expertise or opportunities for displaying your gardening credentials. But decades of pleasure and beauty await you.”
Yet, Monty didn’t stop at hedges; earlier this month on Gardeners’ World, he highlighted that gardeners should also be prepping their bulbs now for a vibrant display next spring.
Monty Don has shared his top gardening tips, emphasising that planting bulbs is the “biggest” and most “essential job” for the remainder of this month and into October, with a focus on the importance of good drainage. He opts for pots with ample drainage, using one with a large hole at the base and additional side holes, placing a crock at the bottom.
He has previously advised: “And really, most bulbs are better planted in September, if you can get it done. It’s not essential; you can plant in October, and tulips shouldn’t be planted till November and December.”
Monty also highlights the importance of taking cuttings in autumn to ensure a blooming garden next year, noting that it’s a simple task that yields “scores of new plants for free.”
He explains that a cutting will become an exact copy of the parent plant, recommending semi-ripe cuttings from the current season as the best choice.