With autumn here those glorious colours that nature producers through her trees and shrubs it makes it a delight to be out in the garden. Recently when I was out with my gardening programme ‘Down to Earth’ on an outside broadcast, we visited Marks Hall and Hyde Hall. If you want inspiration to plant shrubs with autumn colour take a visit to one of them. Ash is quite a common tree turning yellow now, acers with orange and reds even the amelanchier and rhus with their beautiful reds can excite us when the sun brings out their colours in the light. Autumn and winter is not all about leaf colour but includes grasses with their seed heads waving in the breeze, viburnums not only have their leaves yellowing but they are carrying large bunches of red berries. So it is not all about leaves, go and visit your local garden centre or nursery and check out for winter colour. With all this media hype of a cold winter impending let’s now go indoors. Why not think of growing bulbs indoors. What a super gift they make and now is the time to buy amaryllis with their exotic and unusual shaped blooms in gorgeous colours. There are many gifts of glass vases and bowls with bulbs in ‘ready to go’ by just adding water and if you fancy potting your own, why not go for some scented paperwhites or super scented hyacinths. Even plant dwarf narcissus like tete a tete or crocus in a bowl or pot using a good compost, then as the buds start to show bring them indoors to enjoy. So go on, go down to your local centre and buy some and if you can involve children, even better. There is still time to plant bulbs for spring colour in fact, tulips are best planted this month. Tulips look fabulous planted en mass, mixed with other spring flowering bulbs or spring bedding plants, or used in front of shrubs and herbaceous perennials. They can be planted in containers for brightening up the patio. Don't forget to pick up planting compost labels and bulb planters as well as your bulbs before you leave. Pest watch, although most pests and diseases are less active in autumn and winter, be vigilant for problems, and deal with them as soon as they are seen. Houseplants and plants over wintered in greenhouses and frames are especially susceptible, but can be quickly helped with a pesticide spray. Maintaining a high humidity around most foliage houseplants, especially those in centrally heated houses will keep them strong and healthy and help reduce red spider mite attacks. The reverse is true in greenhouse and frames, where high humidity can lead to problems with grey mould and other diseases. Finally I came across two books for those of you who are organically minded, from the publishers Greenbooks. The first is a lovely little book by Nicky Scott call Composting. It will cost just £3.95 and will be available early next year.
Then there is the Organic Directory published in association with the Soil Association listing every supplier in the county list. Not as saucy as my book ‘Jack, the Gardener’ but a great reference book for those interested in organics to find the best place to buy from for just £8: 95. Don't forget to join Ken Crowther every Saturday between 12pm – 2pm. | 
