Is your garden Autumn ready?
September is rolling into October, and with that comes the changing of the seasons. The traditional British Indian summer is over, and the transition has been far from graceful – from 20 degrees down to 7, the long nights closing in and leaves being whipped from the trees.
Whether you’re looking to plant your spring veg, patio over unused space or gravel a new path to your allotment, MB Wilkes are on hand as your garden project specialists.
How to get your garden ready for Autumn
One of the best things about Autumn is undoubtedly the colours. A month ago you may have looked out of your window to see the summer vegetation fading away, only now to see a clash of brilliant oranges, reds and yellows.
These leaves don’t just look pretty – they are a perfect source of compostable material, and could become the fuel for your winter veg to reach its full potential.
Dead-head your flowers, allowing them to bloom into colour one more time before winter arrives. Make sure your more vulnerable plants are inside in time for the first frost – succulents, citruses and salvias amongst others.
Once your garden is swept clear of leaves, and your compost is ready to go, it’s a great chance to do any structuring work before the winter sets in.
Any later in the year than now, and you could find the damp and cold too harsh to be laying bricks, sand or gravel – we recommend getting this work done now so it can help prevent the elements taking over your garden until the spring.
Gravel can help with drainage, by stopping water from pooling, freezing and harming your produce. Pressure washing decking and patio can ensure dirt and grime doesn’t build up too much over the colder months.
Thinking ahead
The more work you put into your garden now, the better it’s going to look once spring rolls around – make sure you’re looking at a garden you are proud of when it does!
Now is the time to get your spring-flowering bulbs into the ground, alongside some early sown carrots that’ll be ready by March. When these are done, you’ll know it’s just the first taste of all your fruit and veg to come – exciting.
Get your winter salads in now too, ensuring to protect them with a horticultural fleece. These are quite hardy, so with a little protection, they should have no problem blossoming during the cold months.
Make sure to plant them in a sheltered, sunny spot away from freezing winter winds – and make sure drainage is sufficient, as pooling ice could kill them before they get a chance to reach your plate. As we mentioned, gravel is great for this!
Lastly, get your hands dirty and mulch those raised beds ready for planting next year –breathe air and water into the soil, ensuring that it’s nutrient rich by the spring.
MB Wilkes can assist with your garden project
Need help with a gardening project, or looking for a reliable supplier of high quality soils, sands and gravels? Our experienced and enthusiastic team is here to help, either at our Hamworthy depot, or via telephone on 01258 857465. Give us a call to discuss your requirements.