I admit it: I have to watch David Attenborough’s new Frozen Planet series between my fingers as my hands are clasped over my face.
Doe-eyed seals being dragged to their end, bleating baby oxen being mauled by predators and polar bears searching for safe havens on ice is all too much at times. My reflex has been to pour myself a large stiff one…with plenty of ice.
The most surprising part of the series has been the claim that spooky bumps on the seabed under the pack ice are likely to be identical to the first signs of life on earth: it seems we owe a lot to cold slime. It is not sophisticated technology that are our building blocks but micro-organisms chomping away at debris. Kind of puts us, and particularly a few people, in their place really.
Which reminds me that all those leaves that are about to come down are actually good news if I use them properly:
• Give your compost heap a good turning over. If the compost has rotted down well enough and has a high enough level of humus (the dark, nutrient rich essence that retains moisture and attracts trace elements), then autumn is a good time to spread it on the borders as a mulch.
• Rake the leaves off ornamental lawns to allow light and air to circulate and prevent patches of mildew developing.
• Lifting and dividing overgrown perennials that have lost their vigorous core.
• With the colder weather arriving, it is coming into the time when it is safe to lift and move trees and shrubs. Be careful not to allow the roots to dry out.
• Check tree ties and stakes in preparation for windy weather to come.
• Aerating the lawn either with a dedicated tool or the good old method of jumping on a fork will improve drainage and so the health of the grass.
• Burn dead and diseased leaves and debris (if the neighbours are happy with this!). This basic garden hygiene will keep down the levels of blackspot and scab. Wait until November 5th if you need to!
• Keep as many leaves as possible off the pond and watch out for hungry herons who can puncture your pond liner when fishing: fake herons can be effective if you move them every month.
• Tulips can be planted out this and the next month: sometimes they are best displayed in pots and are certainly easier to weed, lift and protect like this.
There are so many glorious colours to be enjoyed at this time of year and the bright, clear skies of October will set them off: grab ‘em whilst you can!