This weeks job's around the garden

Don’t be prevented from joining a flower or garden club by any feeling of inadequacy about gardening knowledge.

Don’t think that these groups are purely for experts.

Many of the guest speakers may be expert and knowledgeable, but the groups are for everyone, novices to to experts and event those with just a passing interest in the great outdoors.

If you don’t manage to get to the 21st birthday party of the Cork Alpine Hardy Plant Society and the visit of John Massey, don’t fret as there are clubs all around the country who are only too happy to accept new members and guests.

A quick word in your local garden centre, or a quick look at our garden notes, should put you in contact with your local club.

Jobs to do this weekend:

* New lawns can be seeded this week or else put off til March next year if there is any risk of frost n This is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and soft fruit plants.

* Summer bedding can be removed from pots and borders now and replaced with winter bedding. Plants such as Cyclamen, winter pansies, wallflowers and ornamentals will work.

* Don’t forget to add some spring flowering bulbs to your planting scheme. They can be planted now, but I would wait a while before planting tulips — leaving these ‘til November or even December.

* Time too to bring Osteospermums, Argyranthemums, Geraniums and other tender perennials inside for the winter. Protect in a glasshouse or polytunnel or garden shed (provided it gets good levels of sunlight).