5 Ways to Get Your Garden Ready for Autumn
Autumn is upon us, and contrary to popular belief it is not time to leave your garden alone just yet. That is why we have come up with 5 easy ideas to ensure you have a beautiful-looking garden that will see you through to next spring. We have taken extra care to ensure these steps do not require too much time and effort, and are suitable for both small and large gardens.
Mulch your borders
There are several benefits to mulching your borders. It is especially important to do so in autumn, because that is when the weather starts to cool down. The colder weather can often be detrimental to some plants, and mulch can protect them by working as a layer of insulation, protecting your plant roots, trees and shrubs when it gets chilly.
Mulch is also useful for preventing weed growth, which is a bonus, as it will leave your garden looking fresh and save time on weeding.
Finally, mulching is beneficial for your garden because it also helps improve your soil. This is especially the case with natural, organic mulch (such as the ones we supply). As the mulch breaks down over time, it releases further nutrients into the soil, which will help your plants even more.
Grow in-season vegetables
As we have mentioned before, just because it is no longer spring or summer does not mean the growing season is over. There is a plethora of vegetables you can grow in your garden and enjoy in the coming months. To help you on your way, give yourself a head start and use our Wessex® Fruit & Veg Topsoil to create a nourishing bed for your veg to grow in.
The first veg we would recommend growing is potatoes. Autumn brings the perfect weather to plant some potatoes in your allotment and have them grow in around 13 weeks. The weather should be just warm enough for you to plant them, water them and then leave them to it, but if you want extra security, we would suggest getting your hands on a polytunnel.
If you are looking for something easier and sturdier to plant, we would recommend kale. Kale is easy to grow and perfect for beginners, as it is hard to kill. It thrives in low-light areas and is therefore ideal for autumn, when sunlight will be lacking.
The last vegetable we would recommend growing this season is garlic: the king of vegetables, we think. The first step is to get your hands on some fresh garlic from a garden centre or a supplier; avoid using bulbs from supermarkets, as they are not the best for planting. Separate the cloves and then plant them. The only issue with garlic is that you do have to wait until the following summer to eat it, but there is nothing better than fresh garlic.
Plant in-season flowers
No matter the season, there is no reason why your garden should not be filled with colourful flowers at all times. That is why we have some flower recommendations you can grow in the autumn season. Chrysanthemums are an excellent choice if you want to add some colour to your garden. They are hardy, simple to manage and come in a wide range of colours. Once planted in autumn, it will only take a few months for them to start growing, so your garden will be filled with flowers at the cusp of winter. Another recommendation is heavenly bamboo. Perfect for growing in the autumn, these plants stay vibrant and colourful all year round, so you need not worry about a drab garden once they have grown. Our Wessex® Soil Improver Compost is the perfect helper for flowers blooming to their full potential.
And finally, we think pansies are a great choice for planting in the autumn season. Winter pansies are durable and weather-resistant flowers, making them ideal for planting in cold weather. Just make sure to get your hands on some nutritious soil and you will be good to go.
Take some time to browse through our soil range to see what will fit best for your garden; we have a wide collection to cater for various gardening projects.
Autumn clean-up
We know cleaning and tidying are not the most exciting of jobs; however, in this case it is necessary. The last thing you want coming into this season is a grubby garden that no one can enjoy. We have a few simple solutions that are quick and easy to implement and will not take up too much of your time.
Start off by giving your garden a good sweep and clearing away any fallen leaves and acorns. We know that more leaves will fall in no time, but believe us, giving your entire garden a sweep will make a world of difference.
Secondly, it is best practice to cut and clear away any old crops. We know it sounds like a faff; however, dead, rotten crops will eventually become mouldy and can infect any new crops you plant.
Get a fresh new lawn
If you have a garden with a natural lawn and want to freshen it up (many of us suffered from completely burnt grass this summer), you may want to consider getting fresh turf, which will last you many years to come if maintained properly. Furthermore, you cannot deny that a fresh and vivid lawn will brighten up your entire garden during the gloomy winter months.
On the other hand, if you want something completely different and do not want to deal with a natural lawn, you can also go with artificial grass.
