Monty Don has highlighted four beloved types of plants that he would usually plant now, while admitting he faces a tricky problem due to a pervasive global issue.
In his column for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Monty weighed in on a pressing struggle facing gardeners across the UK, detailing how the “old rules do not apply” due to climate change.
He suggested that the phenomenon had contributed to the seasons becoming “blurred”, pointing specifically to one aspect of gardening associated with the early autumn. Monty noted that he would usually order his bulbs at this time of year, and start to “plant in earnest”. However, the green-fingered presenter has been facing impenetrable ground.
The star then revealed that he doesn’t “want to lose the joy” of witnessing four specific plants flowering and growing, all of which would typically be planted at this time of year.
He wrote: “Nevertheless, I don’t want to lose the joy of fritillaries, narcissi, camassias and alliums all flowering and growing in the orchard, cricket pitch and on various other grassy verges here at Longmeadow.
“They hugely improve the quality of my life. So what to do? Wait for the autumnal rains to sufficiently soften the soil? That might be November. Does that matter? It goes against received wisdom, but perhaps it won’t make such a big difference.
“The reason we are all advised to plant bulbs (other than tulips) in early autumn is because they begin growing from September so the longer the roots are in the ground, the better the roots will grow and thus the bigger, stronger and earlier the flowering.”
Monty then posed the question of whether bulbs would grow in this less-than-desirable soil, and concluded that they probably wouldn’t.
In other news, as autumn descends, Monty recently urged people to perform a specific task in September to help boost plant growth and safeguard delicate types before winter.
He suggested that people take cuttings this month, as it enables replacement plants to be ready by the following spring, and encourages root development before the weather worsens.
To do this, you should first ensure you have a plastic bag (where you’ll place the cuttings immediately to reduce the loss of moisture), a sharp knife and, of course, your trusty secateurs.
Monty advises: “Always choose healthy, strong, straight growth for cutting material. It should be free from any flowers or flower buds.
“Plants like rosemary will root successfully from side shoots that have been peeled from the main stem but where there is plenty of material I prefer to take shoots with the growing tip intact.”
He explained that you should pot them up immediately once you’ve moved the material from the plant to the bag. Monty stressed that the faster you do so, the more likely you are to “have success”.