Well we haven't had much of a summer...

Well we haven't had much of a summer, but that doesn’t mean we should lose faith in our gardens over winter. If you have thought ahead you will have a really splendid autumn bulb display in the coming months. However, if not then now is a good time to think of the winter display.

It can be so difficult being ruthless and ripping out the lovely summer bedding. Particularly this year when a warm wet summer has made for splendid displays.

But early planting of quality plants such as pansies and wallflowers and a colourful bulb selection will pay dividends. A good way to protect bulbs and wallflowers is to be ruthless and use slug pellets to ensure a spring display. Also chicken wire around the developing plants to keep destructive deer at bay whilst bulbs and plants grow. It can look slightly unsightly for a while but at least the plants develop under neath. Eventually it will be a blessing when the plants bloom then by day remove the wire and put back on at night (an easy lobster cage style form is best used).

Thinking of how bare the typical english garden can be through the winter it is a good idea to evaluate what aspect and soil type your garden is. There are some really lovely winter flowering shrubs with gorgeous heady scents. Also laurels such as Acuba japonica crotonfolia or picturata make a real splash of welcome colour. Make plans for a garden that performs all year, with colour and scent really is an investment.

It is important to consider the height and spread of these new plants as they are a permanent feature. Choisya, Phormiums, varigated Holly, Cornus, and some of the horizontalis conifers or Chamicyparis all help with winter colour and as a great backdrop to emerging spring bulbs.

Box or Yew hedging gives all year round colour and as long as they have been planted correctly will be very drought tolerant. These also form a dense hedge for privacy, windbreak,and wildlife friendly addition to your garden or even your boundaries.

Come autumn it is a good time to give your hedges a final clip ready for winter .Be sure to remove all clippings from the floor and the hedge top as they cause disease and can be a real fire hazard.

Selective pruning of fruit trees in the autumn will result in far better fruit production and less disease problems. If your are planting new fruit tress then it may well be favourable to espalier train them for easier maintenance especially in a garden where space is a premium.

There is little to match the bounty of autumn fruit fresh picked from your own garden. Tzar or Victoria plums, large french greenagage ,and sweet damsons. All can have the excess part cooked and frozen for all year round crumble and sorbets.

Then Bramley Apples ,William and Conference pears. From a good supplier plant these in the late Autumn for a real treat in a couple of years that only gets better.

To help with hedge and border maintenance it is a good idea to instal a membrane and shingle covering (see www.the-otherroom.co.uk ). It is an initial outlay but saves hours of tedious weeding.

Winter in also the best time to think about installing new lawns. So many of my clients try for years and spend small fortunes on trying to revive failing lawns. The best solution is really to start from scratch. Soil can become compacted, and have poor tilth and nutrient value so never perform very well as a lawn. It is often a focal point of a garden (much like a worn out carpet ) so really sets off a garden.

Now is the best time for arboricultural (tree) works. Selective pruning in fruit trees helps cropping potential. In other trees it ensures mould and fungal spores find it difficult to find the ‘cosy’ corner or tree spur to infest the tree.

Winter is also a good time to install patios and hardlandscaping (see www.the-otherroom.co.uk ) when the garden then has time to recover when you are not using it. Also exterior painting and fence painting now will prevent water/frost/and rot from setting in. Make a point of ensuring good tradesmen preparing and painting your home exteriors as it will save you a lot of time and money in repairs in the future.

For any further information or free quotes (gardening, landscaping, painting, repairs etc) please do not hesitate to contact me ~ kate. 07930285126

kate.hooper1@btinternet.com