Now is the first time you should start to consider harvesting your apples, they need harvesting in early autumn which is the last of the dying summer sunshine and just before the winter frosts set in and ruin the crop. So harvesting and storing your apples well, will mean you will be able to enjoy your apples throughout the whole of winter.

What should you do:

• In early September start picking your apples which is when they are at their most ripe and are pluck able easily from their tree by only needing to place you cupped hand under the apple, gently lifting and twisting once.

• Look closely at each apple you have picked and check for insects or bruising before cleaning them off with a cloth.

• Should there be any slight insect damage in the skin of the apple it is usually harmless, however, don’t attempt to store any fruit that is bruised because they will start to rot and will infect the others.

• After wrapping your apples within newspaper, put them on a shelf.
The variety of apple will determine the length of time the apples can be stored for. Generally speaking those apples that tend to ripen later in the year will tend to store better for longer periods of time than the earlier season’s varieties such as the ‘Discovery’ once this apple is picked it must be eaten immediately.

Keep your apples in a cool, but frost-free temperature, it will help them to store for many weeks even through the winter months. Either a garage or a well built garden shed would be good storage places for your apples.

Yes, it’s possible you CAN get home grown fresh salad throughout the cold winter months and not just in a window box but in your garden too. Just think how rewarding it would be if you plan it so you can be serving your own home grown fresh leaf salad to garnish you Christmas Family Dinner!

How can I get this then? Here’s how:

• From the end of August through to the middle of November make sure you grow the seeds. With continuous and regular seed sowings you can increase your chances of getting a good continuous crop rotation throughout the year.

• The soil has to be good to achieve the best results and keep crops retaining as many nutrients as possible so a warm and sunny but sheltered place in your garden should be prepared by digging the soil over, mixing in an extremely well richly rotted manure or rich garden compost. Giving the soil these necessary added nutrients helps it to retain moisture. Always rake over the spot for a fine finish.

• If you are wanting to use a container mix using potting compost using a pot or window box firstly, you need to prepare your mix container of the potting compost and leave flat, carefully place the seeds in shallow and short rows to each other, gently cover the soil, label and gently water to enable the seeds to take root.

• If you experience a sudden and sharp dip to the temperature which normally happens overnight, you should cover your seeds with a cloth to protect them from frost.

• Let the plant grow to about 15 centre meters and then slice off the whole head down to a stump of 3cm and wait for the new stronger, even more deliciously edible plant to re-sprout quickly.

As a gardener, you happily enjoyed spring, summer, but as the winter winds start to roll in more during the autumn months, you will start to find yourself putting away your gloves and gardening tools. However, before you wave goodbye to gardening, there are a number of things still to do.

Ground cover is an option for summer/winter gardening, there are so many ornamental ground covers available. The Ajuga is a hardy perennial / bugleweed and displays blue flowers in early summer amidst purple/green foliage, which lasts through the winter. English ivy is also popular ground covering and grows well anywhere, anytime.

If you are choosing to go with scented plants, try the Daphne shrub which has a potent perfume aroma which you will enjoy through all the seasons. The plant will produce pink or white flowers in early winter and yellow berries during hot, dry summers. The winter honeysuckle will also provide a pleasing scent and the cream-colored blossoms are stunning against its dark beautiful greenery, during late winter.

Rhododendrons are great bushes and some varieties bloom all year round. There are certain types of hardy hibiscus, which have also been known to blossom each season.

There are certain vegetables which can grow in both warm and cold weather. Amongst them is broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, peas and summer or winter squash. They even need little to no protection and will thrive in well drained soils.

Corner plantings which are likely to include taller shrubs or even small trees will screen back yards whilst blending into the garden as surrounding landscape. All shrubs in the entrance garden can be placed specifically where they won’t interfere with views or touch the house when they reach mature.

Avoid exceedingly symmetrical designs as they can end up looking boring. Garden designs should have the same weight of growth on both ends of the garden to balance it out well. Individual garden elements will consist of shrubs of various sizes, forms, and textures.

More simple designs can create the most successful gardens so limit the number of species of plants and paving used in your garden. You’ll have a much easier time tying your garden together too. You’ll also get the most from each element. Strike a balance and remember variety is also important.

Plan your garden on paper first before you begin any planting, this will give you something to refer to as you are planting to keep you focused. You need to know the mature height of all the plants you are using in your garden design. One of the most common mistakes is to make improper plant selection and placement. Another common mistake is over planting.
Your garden may look a little sparse in its early stages, but you will avoid overcrowding in the future. Be sure to place your shrubs in such a way that when they grow the foliage does not touch any of the structure. This will keep adequate air flow and prevent the growth of mold.

To emphasize a particular plant in your garden use contrasting shapes, colours and textures. For instance, large pale green leaves of a hydrangea will contrast nicely with the darker green needles of a pine.

Foundation plantings are traditionally intended to screen the ugly cement foundations of houses. This, however, is a bit short sighted.
Creating a welcoming entrance to your garden is a more appropriate way to go about designing these secluded spaces. Entrance gardens are important as they integrate houses and gardens with a surrounding landscape.

Entrance gardens should be open and welcoming. They may be used to draw attention to architectural details or even screen architectural flaws. When deciding what to grow in an entrance garden, avoid planting rapidly growing plants because they will quickly become obtrusive and outgrow their allotted spaces, blocking views and obstructing access. Entrance garden are normally the front garden for most homes and benefit from colourful plants and flowers which have all year round interest, such as evergreens and deciduous shrubs with a lot of colourful autumn foliage and berries in the winter.

Specimen shrubs, like interesting flowering deciduous or a dwarf evergreen, will work well in an entrance garden. Use any specimen shrubs sparingly in your garden if you do this to avoid too much of the same look which is uninteresting.

Shrubs which run between entrance and corners of houses are most effective when they are designed to be simple. The low growing shrubs will generally work best as they don’t block views from windows. Taller shrubs will require frequent pruning and may often result in awkwardly shaped plants.