‘Knowledge is knowing tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.’ – Brian O’Driscoll
Autumn months are on their way! Leaves begin to fall from our trees, evenings become darker and orange is now everyone’s favourite colour to decorate their houses with. But despite the cooler temperatures, our gardens are ready to receive an extra touch of care and autumn is never a reason to stop developing our garden knowledge and indulging our fellow green thumb friends with our wisdom!
Discover all the benefits of why autumn is the best time to be in your garden and find some great ideas of how you can transform it in the final few months of the year…
Perfect soil
Sunnier weather over the summer period leaves our soil in a warmer state and therefore perfect for planting new shrubs in the autumn as the warmth of the soil stimulates rapid growth.
In contrast, in the spring the soil is much cooler from the winter months and so the plants exhaust their energy stores quicker causing slower and potentially damaged growth. So plant now for more stable, enduring and ever-lasting plants this spring!
Plants establish themselves
Autumn gives the plants the opportunity to establish their roots more so they have a healthier base of support. This means that they will be able to withstand the stronger winds and heavier rain that autumn and winter months over the years could hold. In addition, by spring your shrubs will be popping colour earlier than if you planted them next year. Start now to make your garden the show garden of the year!
More convenient for you
Typically, we use our gardens less as it’s cooler outside and days are shorter, and so there isn’t a better time to have landscapers and gardeners carrying out work so you have lots to enjoy when the sunnier weather returns.
Increased precipitation
Naturally over the winter months, more rain falls and while as us humans we may not be as excited, one thing to be happy about is that you no longer have to worry about watering your plants in the dark evenings as nature does this for you. The damper grounds also make it much easier to rotovate soil and give plants a new home!
Softer ground
This is the ideal time to take your ideas from paper and turn them into real life! As the ground is more moist from increase in precipitation, it’s far easier for landscapers to design and carry out construction work like new pathways and wooden sleeper flower beds.
Lawn Care
As a result of warmer soil temperatures, our lawns benefit from thicker and faster growth. This is good to not only help to build a stronger and more durable lawn over the winter but also to help crowd out any potential weeds that want to grow and therefore, come summer, you will have less weeding to do and your lawn will be ready for its first mow of the year in spring. No matter the shape or size of your lawn, get in contact with our landscaping team today!
Explosive growth – longer lasting results
As plants will be able to establish their roots more in the autumn, by spring your beds will be bursting with explosive colour as they begin to bloom. Also with the roots grounded, you are expected to see longer lasting results over the years as they become a more stable shrub that has the ability to show its true colours again and again.
Less pesky pests
While we love our pollinators, there are insects called vectors that we have less love for. Examples of vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas and lice. They can cause damage to both adult and youth plants by passing on infectious diseases. However, before the winter, they begin to find places for hibernation and so there are less of them contaminating our gardens. This is a perfect time for one of our soft landscaping team to create a bespoke planting scheme for you so that you plants can have a better chance of survival and build up a stronger immune system to defend themselves when the vectors return.
Time for new plans
After a summer with friends and family, you may of found some new ideas that you want to bring into your own garden. A new social seating area for all your friends and family with a roaring fire pit for marshmallow toasting or maybe a decking around to surround your bubbling hot tub with an outdoor shower situated on the side. Our landscaping team can help you bring your ideas to life!
Early investments
Now is a good time to make small investments into your garden. The darker evenings lend themselves to a perfect opportunity to try different lighting styles. Even in the summer, the light fades while our garden parties continue so now is a great time to assess where you need lighting and the type of lights you want. The cooler temperatures means we can try different heating ideas, maybe even invest in a fire pit which also creates a lovely cosy atmosphere, especially when you’re snuggled on your outdoor sofas with throws and listening to the fire crackle.
What you can do…
Kitchen gardens
A great way to add extra flavour and reward to a home cooked meal is through homegrown fruit and vegetables. It’s a great way to get all the family involved whether it’s your little ones tending to their own strawberry patch or a family competition of who can grow the biggest pumpkin! Enormous amounts of fun and memories can be created from becoming a green thumb so have one of our hard landscapers design a kitchen garden just for you. Add elements that you desire, from a bespoke greenhouse to a large kitchen garden filled with flourishing raised beds.
Pathways
There is nothing better than being able to take a wonder around your landscape, indulging all your senses; from viewing those blossoming roses with your eyes, smelling the hints of fresh mint and feeling water trickle by the water fountain all whilst keeping your feet mud and wet free. Pathways of stepping stones, wooden slabs or slate are only a few examples of what you could have winding through your garden.
Planting schemes
Planting schemes are a great way to have your garden looking wonderful,sophisticated and colourful without you having to lift a finger! Our highly experienced soft landscaping team can help you create a bespoke planting scheme with plants of your choice in the area you would like. They can even help you maintain the bedding area throughout the year so that you never have to worry about weeds!
Terraces
If your garden is missing a feature element then a terrace or decking area is the perfect thing. It’s not only a bold statement but also helps to create a social hub in your garden which will be ideal for those garden parties and gatherings with friends and family! You could even create your own spa retreat area with outdoor showers, sauna and permanent ice bath. Get in touch with our hard landscaping team to start designing the perfect area for you.
Do you want to enjoy your garden all through the autumn? Talk to our specialist landscaping team today to find out the best way we can help you in the months ahead!