Gardening guide: Autumn pruning, bulb planting, and plant care

As autumn approaches, various gardening tasks and plant care considerations become essential for maintaining a healthy garden.

Pruning should focus on stone fruits like cherries, plums, and peaches immediately after harvest to ensure proper healing. In contrast, pome fruits such as apples and pears should undergo major pruning during their dormant period in late winter or early spring. Gardeners should also be aware that extreme weather shifts, such as summer droughts followed by heavy rains, can cause trees like lilacs and magnolias to bloom a second time, which depletes their energy and risks frost damage.

For seasonal planting, narcissus bulbs are best planted in late September, while tulips should wait until the soil cools in October or November. Additionally, exotic plants like Plumbago auriculata can provide blue blooms through autumn if kept in containers and moved indoors before the first frost. For home decor, natural elements like acorns, pinecones, and colorful leaves can be used to create seasonal candle holders.