Monty Don urges gardeners to act now by potting on rooted cuttings before harsh weather arrives
Don't leave this garden task too late, and let your rooted cuttings fall victim to winter frosts
With the weather turning colder and the first frosts around the corner, there are some plants in your garden that need extra attention sooner rather than later.
If you're taking plant cuttings, you'll know that they are vulnerable while they're rooting and becoming established plants. Which is why you'll need to add potting them out to your October garden jobs list, as the weather worsens and the window for protecting plants from frost begins to shorten.
With that in mind, Monty Don has issued a gentle reminder that now is the time to pot out rooted cuttings and ensure they're properly prepared for the winter ahead.
While sorting the garden out this month, you may want to add this time-sensitive task to your list of jobs. Monty Don says now is the best time to do it before the weather properly begins to change.
"If you've taken semi-ripe cuttings and they've rooted, it's a good idea to pot them on individually rather than leave them over winter," Monty advises.
"Carefully separate the cuttings, trying not to damage the roots of each individual plant. Pot them up with peat-free compost and then put them somewhere where they can be protected against the worst of the winter weather," he adds.
Cuttings are a fantastic plant propagation tip to help fill your garden for free, but they do need a little extra effort to ensure they make it to fully established plants.
Make sure you don't make the spring gardening mistake of planting them out too early next year; the weather will need to be much warmer, and all risks of frost will need to be gone.
"They won't grow much over winter, but they will be ready to plant out in spring when the weather has warmed up," says Monty.
Again, if you're looking for ways to save money in the garden, cuttings are a great idea. Just ensure you've got space to grow them and keep them well protected during colder months before they can go outside to grow.
While you're out in the garden potting out cuttings, it's a good time to try out some autumn lawn care tips to keep your grass looking its best all winter long.
