Embrace October and plant some bulbs

Embrace October: A Fresh Season for Bulbs and Winter Garden Prep!

Wow, what a September we’ve had! All that sunshine, extra BBQs, and even a sneaky glass of wine on a Wednesday – sure, it had to be done. There was sunscreen being used in late September! The bonus sunshine has given our summer flowers a final boost, with everything flowering brighter and lasting longer.

Now, as we head into October, it’s bulb season, a favorite time for gardeners. This is the perfect time to plant Snowdrops, Crocus, Daffodils, Tulips, Alliums, and so much more. Planting spring-flowering bulbs in October and November ensures your garden will burst with color early next year. If you plan your bulb planting carefully, you can enjoy flowers from January right through until May. Bulbs are a win for both beginners and seasoned gardeners – low-maintenance, easy to plant, and guaranteed to bring a smile come spring.

For container gardeners, bulbs are just as rewarding. Why not try planting a “bulb lasagna”? Instead of mince, pasta, and cheese sauce, you’ll layer Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, and Snowdrops in a pot, which will flower in stages from January through to April. If you want to learn how, join us for a bulb lasagna workshop on the 12th of October. All materials are provided, and you can book your spot online at Rockbarton.ie, or call into Lynda at Rockbarton.

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

While October is all about bulbs, it’s also a key time to prepare your garden for winter. Start by tidying up any spent summer plants and giving your beds a clean-up. Cut back perennials that have finished flowering, and remove any dead or diseased plants to keep your garden healthy. Have you noticed any berries on your trees/shrubs yet? I have seen berries on the Holly in the garden since the end of August, which is really quite early.

Now’s the time to mulch! Spread a layer of mulch or compost around your garden beds to protect your plants’ roots during the cold months. This will also help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil. It also encourages worm activity which does wonders for helping to improve your soil.

I was talking in the garden club about the leaves that are starting to fall, some people like to leave them on the ground and let nature do it’s thing, others feel like it’s a place for creating mildew and harboring snails and slugs. Personally, I try and lift all the leaves, well I say me, but it’s really Bryan that looks after that in the garden!. Bryan likes the garden to be nice and tidy for the winter, I try and put in more colour where I can.

Garden Club in October 10^th and 24^th at 11am – all are welcome

Bulb Lasagne Workshop – Saturday October 12^th, Cost €45

Pop into Rockbarton and see all of our Autumn Decorations, cute Foxes, Gonks and more to bring a little of the Fall/Autumn into your home,

Rockbarton is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with home baking and toasties.

If you need any advice about planting, what to plant, hedging, trees, don’t hesitate to get in touch, I am always happy to chat, thanks, Lynda