planting out in Autumn

[darth vader]

having seen Smudge's question on Apple Trees (and responses) i am left confused - i'm planning a major re-structuring of my garden but have decided to wait till spring but now i wonder can i plant out shrubs/seeds/bushes this time of year? I understand some veggies will grow through winter (onion, winter greens, sprouts etc) but 1) can i plant new herb bushes/seeds this time of year? 2) bamboo? 3)flowering plants? (eg. lavender, fuschshchschia) 4) flower bulbs? (daffs crocus tulip)

[mikewall01]

The best time to plant most of the things you have mentioned, except the seeds, is between now and the end of November in most parts of the UK.However, in cold, wet sites or on heavy clay March planting is usually preferred.
Seeds - you need to check the individual variety.
Veg - it is generally too late for most of it. Most should have already been sown and brought on. You will however still get results from fast growers like lettuce or radish.
Bulbs - those you have mentioned are all spring flowering and need to go in during Sept, Oct or early Nov.

[templeman]

Darth, I'm hopeless at remembering what is the best time to do anything in the garden so, over the years, I have used an old calendar to jot down notes on what I need to do in any month. I include things like the lawn, potting, beds, borders, pruning, transplant, sew etc. Cuts down the thinking process which isn't getting any better with age. Good luck in your garden and don't overdo it. Little and often will keep on top of it without breaking your back.

[templeman]

Darth, just to make you smile, and nothing to do with the garden, I got the dreaded 'Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close' after posting my answer. Grrrrr !!!

[darth vader]

thanks for the info and ideas everyone - three stars all round. Templeman i sympathise mate - keep emailing ABeditor till he/she gets fed up and fixes it!

[robber1]

Hello darth. I dont know much about veggies, but regarding flowering shrubs and bamboo here goes. Any plant bought in a container at a garden center can be planted at any time of year. Having said that, if you plant in the heat of summer, it is difficult to give the plants the copious amount of water to establish themselves. Therefore, planting from now onwards is ideal. The very high temeratures are ending and there is enough Summer and Autumn left for the plants to get started. Winter planting is OK but you have to wait until next Spring for them to bed in. Fuchias are good but make sure you buy the outdoor type. The common bedding Fuchia grown in pots will die in Winter unless you can take them inside before the frosts come. The outdoor kind are easy to maintain. Leave them as they are at the end of the growing season and in March cut them right down to two inches from the ground. They rapidly regrow again. Bamboo is no problem planting now.With any new plant, dont let them dry out for the first year in order to get a good root system going. Sorry if I am going on a bit.