How to prepare your garden for the change of season

August 27, 2020

September is all but a few days away and that means it is time to start planning for the change of season. The nights are already drawing in and it won’t be long before the unmistakable nip of autumn is chilling the morning air.

 

The hot summer, followed by recent heavy rain and storms, means that many flowering seasons have been cut short and the leaf fall has already started.

 

But when it comes to the garden, you don’t just want to plan for autumn. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about winter and even next spring and summer.

Preparing for autumn and winter

Now is the time to start pruning shrubs and hedges getting them into a neat and tidy shape after a summer of growth. Leave azaleas,camellias and rhododendrons alone as their buds will already have started forming for next spring. Cut them back now and you’ll notice a distinct lack of blooms next year!

 

Your lawn will be ready for its final cut soon too. Ideally take it to around 60mm and rake out any thatch or moss.

 

When the leaves start to fall in earnest, clear them from the lawn and borders to them composting down and causing problems in months to come. Leaves are much nicer (and lighter) to clear when they are crisp and dry so it’s well worth keeping on top of this job as the weeks pass, depending on the weather.

 

Don’t forget to protect delicate plants with fleece before the frosts come. Group their pots together in a sheltered spot – assuming you can remember what you planted in which pot!

 

Any pots that have been emptied after the summer need to be washed and stored safely for next year.

 

If you moved any houseplants outside for the summer, it’s time to bring them in. Whilst you’re at it, harvest herbs, apples and pears now. You can store hard fruits quite well in a dark place and herbs can be dried or frozen if you’re not going to use them before they pass their best.

 

Winter colour

Winter doesn’t have to mean bleak, empty beds and no colour. There are plenty of autumn and winter flowering plants that you can plant in pots and borders now, ready for a colourful display against winter’s grey skies. Think about species like pansies, cyclamen, heather, narcissus and crocus.

 

Depending on the weather you can even find tulips flowering in December and daffodils showing their sunny heads from as early as January. Pick up some bulbs in the end of season sales, pop them in and wait to see what happens.

 

Leave sunflower heads in the garden – they make a fabulous feast for birds who will be pleased to have a treat in the winter months.

Planning for next spring and summer

October to April is a good time to plant roses, shrubs and trees so if you have a plan for next year, think about where you are going to position these plants within that plan.

 

You can also get a head start on a wonderful spring display by planting your spring flowering bulbs into pots and borders.

 

In need of a helping hand?

There is always lots to do in the garden but if cutting, pruning, mowing and raking aren’t your favourite tasks, or you find them too physically demanding, our team have the perfect solution.

 

We’ll send you two of our finest team members to take care of it all for you and remove all the waste.

 

Call Claire today for more details.