So summer was generous in its precipitation which bodes well for lush growth — even given the threat of a hurricane or two — which combined with the still high temperatures, prolongs the green appearance of gardens in general.

A visual treat to the alternative of scorched earth as can be seen with bone dry summers.

But do not take things for granted, Mother Nature constantly challenges us with her fickle nature so plan accordingly, the garden calendar never quits so it’s advisable to at least keep in step with its cycle.

With flowering being usually abundant and damage — if any — from Cristobal under control, growth should continue as normal — but with such a wet summer — be rather heavy and lush. With this in mind it may be a valuable exercise to carry out some thinning to allow growth to thicken and harden up as the cooler months loom near.

Flowers will still be present on many plants so take care in selecting material for pruning, look for thin weak growth and crossing/rubbing branches first as removal of these will open up the heart of the plant and dictate other branches requiring attention.

Vines should be inspected to check their usual prolific growth at this time of year and pruned back as deemed necessary.

Thinning out heavy growth allows in light and thus new growth which will be a good framework for next year’s flowering growth.

During the process of thinning out be sure to check for pest and disease problems which are usually prevalent in such growth, with aphids and caterpillars being common.

Fungal activity also incubates in damp areas and can spread rapidly to neighbouring plantings.

When problems are seen it is important to identify the specific problem and treat immediately; advice can be obtained from local nurseries; if in doubt take the ‘problem’ with you for identification.

Trees should also be checked on a yearly basis to ascertain their health which is not easily done from ground level, therefore have a qualified tree surgeon to climb into the tree and inspect its structure and general habit.

Many trees when left develop poor branch structure and shape to the detriment of the plant as it ages.

Heavy rains will wash nutrients out of the soil and a good fertiliser should be incorporated around the plants feeder roots to stave off nutrient deficiency; I like to use a ratio of N16percent-P4percent-K8percent with trace elements to encourage that little bit of extra growth left in the plant before growth slows down. Incorporating well composted material with or without a mix of aged manure in to the flower beds will also instil benefits to the soil structure and enhance future growth.

Lawns often tend to be neglected when it comes to beneficial maintenance, many ending up ridden with two or three grass types and a mix of weeds, which does nothing for the appearance of the lawn which oft covers a high percentage of the garden.

Mowing a lawn with a mix of grasses and weeds is really a waste of time and effort, even money. A mixed type lawn is certainly not ideal as there are present a mix of grasses with each type requiring preferred maintenance schedules; with Bermuda grass, Zoysia and St Augustine (Floratem included) being the three types.

St Augustine including Floratem to look its best should be kept at a height of three inches when mown with a rotary machine.

Bermuda grass has a more finer leaf blade and can be cut with a rotary mower if kept at one-half to two inches or a reel machine if cut shorter. Zoysia should be mown with a reel machine and striped or boxed for a superior appearance.

October is the start of the planting season for annuals, which extend colour in the garden when summer flowering shrubs are less floriferous.

They can be used simply as a bed of annuals or intermixed with plants in the flower beds whichever ever way they will produce a mass of colour during the off season.

The many varieties of annuals in combination with range of colours can be very effective in bringing to life dull areas.

Annuals should be used in various ways to enhance specific areas such as carpet bedding when one area consists of one type of plant type be it a single or mixed colour combination.

Eventual height of plant should always be considered, with taller plants being located to the rear of a ‘one sided bed’ or in the middle of a round bed so they can be seen as a backing for smaller plants located to their front.

This type of planting gives an appearance of depth to the bed when viewed from afar. It is a good idea to actually draw a rough outline of the proposed plantings in order to ‘get a feel’ for the final layout as well as quantities required for each variety.

Cell packs which are usually six plants will have an information label on planting distances, plant height etc it is advisable to follow the ‘rules’ as they are there for a reason.

Overplanting is a waste of time and money and often leads to weak growth as the plants fight for ‘survival’.

Keep an eye out for pest and disease problems which can be a problem; soft tip growth is the equivalent to a gourmet feast to aphids and caterpillars, cut worms can also be a problem by cutting plants down to soil level.

Lush soft growth is an open invitation to fungal activity if not monitored and can quickly rampage through a bed of annuals.

Keep an eye on the watering if ground starts to dry out and also a dose or two of liquid fertiliser once established to encourage healthy growth.

The garden is not looked upon as cost centre, but it can certainly be an expensive exercise if not maintained properly.

griffm@northrock.bm