Seasonal Tips!
As we head into autumn, there’s so much planning and planting you can do for next year, all while enjoying the garden’s last spectacular display. Cooler temperatures make it easier to work outside – don’t waste a second in taking advantage of this enchanting season.
Mulch appreciation…!
Rake, rake, rake those leaves, into a compost bin or separate leaf bin – not only preventing your lawn and plants getting smothered which can breed pests and disease, but the decomposed leaves will make a nutritious mulch for your garden next year.
Shrub Up!
Get pruners to your trees and shrubs, it’ll help them stay nice and vigorous.
Need a lift?
Actually your perennials (if they bloom in spring or early summer) might like a new lease of life if they’ve been in the ground a minimum of three years – lift and divide – remove old sections and replant the best, get them in their new location ideally six weeks before the first hard frost.
Autumn planting!
Autumn is a great time for planting trees and shrubs, make the most of late flowering perennials, ornamental grasses for texture, and traditional evergreens in your landscape. Many of these plants will grow well in pots too.
Lawn Care & New Turf!
It’s a great time of year to lay new turf or take care of you existing lawn. We have turf rolls available for £6.00 per roll, delivered in 2-3 days (minimum order of 25 rolls).
Late bloomer?
Look in our nursery for autumn-flowering plants such as asters and rudbeckia to give you one last blast of colour before the frosts. Hylotelephium (formerly known as sedum) flowers in autumn and the seed heads can be left intact over winter to add decoration. There is currently a trend for using seed heads for a ‘wild’ look to your landscape, mixing these with the varied textures of ornamental grasses.
Going potty?
Turn every pot to a good use. Japanese maples, or acers, are particularly good for large pots as they’re slow growing and make stunning focal points with their blazing autumn foliage in fiery reds, russet browns, oranges and butter yellows. Keep them in a sheltered position and take care to feed and water regularly.
Pining for your attention!
Use evergreens to create structure in beds and containers. Heathers and hebes bloom in pinks, purples and whites, and other evergreens such as sweet box (Sarcococca confusa) are a lustrous green backdrop with the added advantage of sweetly scented flowers in December.
Rooting for you!
Garlic bulbs are perfect for autumn planting, spring cabbages provide you with homegrown greens in the new year, and purple sprouting broccoli grows happily outdoors for a delicious harvest in February.
Rake it out!
Keep your lawn looking a cut above. The grass will have a growth spurt before winter sets in, so it will quickly recover from any stress you put it under now. Re-sow or lay new turf on areas that are bare or patchy. If you’ve got a lot of thatch on your lawn – old grass along the top of the soil – it might be a good idea to scarify the lawn. This is hard work but not technically difficult. Just get a spring-tined rake and rake it out. The lawn will look a mess short-term, but will come back healthier and greener. Another treatment is aerating or spiking the lawn – especially useful if it’s prone to waterlogging or has a lot of moss in it, as it may be compacted. Spiking it with a garden fork will help get water and air through the soil.
Spring loaded!
Plant spring flowering bulbs – daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths before the end of September – lilies and alliums in September or October, and tulips in November.
Don’t forget your House Plants!
We have a great range of house plants throughout September, so pop in and see how you can brighten up your home with a plant or two.