Ger’s September Gardening Show Recap

Autumn Gardening Tips and Advice from Ger

Mother Nature is beginning to turn a corner – the air is crisp, the colours are changing, and it’s time to get your garden ready for the new season. On Saturday’s show, Ger shared some brilliant tips and advice to help keep your garden looking its best through autumn and into winter.

Cyclamen, Chrysanthemum autumn bedding

Autumn Colour in the Garden

Boston ivy's, acers, and cherry blossoms are all stealing the show at the moment with their spectacular colours. If you’re planting trees for seasonal beauty, now’s the perfect time to take inspiration from these autumn stunners.

Purple Painted Heathers

Lawn Care – A Year-Round Job

Ger reminded listeners that lawns need attention all year round, not just in one burst. Feeding or treating the lawn once a year won’t cut it. Now is the perfect time to apply an autumn lawn feed to make your grass winter-hardy. Products like Lawn Gold or other all-in-one feeds will help prepare it for the months ahead.

Window Boxes for Autumn/Winter

Painted Heathers

If you want colour at the front of your home, window boxes are a simple and affordable option and are all available now from McGaughs Garden Centre:

  • Winter violas & pansies – cheap, cheerful, and should last until next March.

  • Cyclamen – beautiful, but not as hardy. Be sure not to plant them too deep.

  • Primroses – not available just yet, it’s still too early.

  • Painted heathers – once not a favourite of Ger’s, but now he admits they’re an acquired taste. They don’t wash off in the rain and work well for winter colour.

  • Chrysanthemums – excellent centrepieces.

  • Tip: Underplant your boxes with daffodil bulbs for extra bursts of colour come spring.

Hedging Advice

The weather is ideal for planting hedges. With many new houses needing a bit of structure and privacy, hedging is in high demand:

  • Laurels, eleagnus, and beech are hardy, low-maintenance choices.

  • Red robin (Photinia) is popular but requires more care and shelter compared to other options.

Seasonal Plant Questions

  • Alstroemeria – For winter, use large enough pots, ensure they don’t dry out, and mulch to protect from frost.

  • Lawn feeds – Humber Palmers can be applied now and will last over 3 months.

Garden Centre Events at McGaughs

Plenty happening over the next few weeks!

  • Customer Appreciation Sundays – free live music and great fun:

    • Sunday 14th: The Jab Band

    • Sunday 28th: Joe Hession & Guests (trad and plenty of craic!)

  • An Evening with Ger McGaugh – in aid of Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity. Get your tickets here.

  • Gardening Classes & Q&A Sessions – the perfect chance to learn and ask your own gardening questions.

Planting & Harvest Tips

  • Bare root plants – won’t be available until November, so hold off until then.

  • Bulbs – Ger cannot recommend them enough! Planting bulbs is not only cheaper but gives you months of colour.

  • Grasses – Autumn is the perfect time to plant them; they look magnificent now.

  • Apple storage – For winter, only store naturally dry apples. Wrap them in brown paper or newspaper, keep them in a frost-free, airy, dark, dry place. Don’t stack too high, and don’t let apples touch each other.

🍂 For more tips, advice, and all of Ger’s gardening wisdom, listen back to Saturday’s full show here

September 11, 2025
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