Planting
Where in summer we’re relentlessly reminding you to water your plants, in autumn we’ll unapologetically remind you that it’s a great time of year to plant (whether you’re planting a Dig Instant Bed or not!). The ground is warm, the air is cool, there is more rainfall, and less evaporation. Plants are entering a period of dormancy, focusing their energy on strengthening roots beneath the surface. Ideal conditions for getting them in the ground to establish, and giving them an entire additional season to develop ahead of a lively display come springtime.
Tender pruning
Hostas, Nepeta, Brunnera and other similar tender perennials all benefit from having their dead/dying foliage removed at this time of year. As the foliage begins to die back it can become a haven for slugs and doesn’t look particularly attractive. Remove down to just above the base of the plant to allow air in and avoid rot.
Collect leaves
As trees begin to drop their leaves, it’s a good idea to gather them up for a leaf pile, leaf mould or compost heap. Collect them up using a rake. Please (please) don’t use a leaf blower. They’re noisy, really bad for the environment, and Cate Blanchett hates them too.
Daffodils for your lawn
Daffodils in a lawn can look beautiful – emerging in spring to give a beautiful orchard feel to your garden. To achieve the right effect, we recommend tossing the bulbs in the air where you’d like them to grow and plant where they land. Anything too considered can risk looking unnatural and so the chuck-in-the-air method is our preferred approach! Lift a small section of the lawn where they land and, once planted, re-cover with the turf.
Fill gaps with colour
A quick visit to the garden centre for a tray of late season annual flowering plants is a quick, easy and affordable way of brightening up your garden this time of year, especially if gaps are beginning to emerge as perennial plants begin to withdraw and die back. Think about the colours that are beginning to emerge elsewhere – reds, yellows, ochres – and which colours will complement these to carry the autumnal theme through your garden.
Use white for low light
With light levels dimming, an effective way of brightening up your garden is by using white flowers. Pops of white will flash in low light and help to demarcate structure and points of interest in a flower bed or pot. A really easy, affordable and quick way of doing this is by purchasing a tray of white cyclamen from your garden centre. They’ll also return and spread year on year so they’re a sensible autumn/winter investment!
Clear out summer displays
Summer displays in hanging baskets and pots will likely be beginning to look a little sad around now – particularly if planted with summer-flowering annuals. Clear them out, give them a good clean, keep hold of the majority of the soil if it still looks good and your pots and baskets will be ready for you to introduce colour and interest for winter. Cyclamen, Ivy, Hellebores, and even pansies work together beautifully to make an easy winter display.
Raise up pots
With any pots that you’re planning to leave over winter – i.e. pots with containing perennial plants – it’s not a bad idea to prop them up off the ground to reduce the risk of rotten roots. Pot feet are available at basically every garden centre.
Mulch bare earth
With plants dying back, you might begin to see patches of bare earth emerging. It’s a good idea to mulch these areas of soil – using compost, bark chippings, or any other type. It will serve the dual purpose of preventing weed growth and also feeding the soil with additional nutrients.
