Repair Guide

Autumn is here! So we though we would share some useful tips and what you can do around your garden as the leaves start to fall, the days get shorter and the inevitable cold means you’re spending that little bit more time indoors. There are also some great Autumn special offers on items you will need around the garden this time of year.

1. Tidying Up

Get clean and tidy, autumn is a fantastic time of year for those who love preen, prune and cut back if you’re anything like us then it’s any excuse to get out the chainsaw and bush cutters and make sure that all your hedges and trees and cut back ready for next season. All that summer growth will need good a trim back to keep the garden looking great over the colder seasons. Many off-cuts will take well in the humidity right now so think about taking some cutting and planting them. I have listed some tips on taking cuttings here

2. Collecting Leaves

Raking and scooping fallen leaves can be a real pain, but with some decent tools to help you along the way there are many worse things you could be doing! Make sure you have a good rake, this telescopic rake is not only space saving but great value and quality. Leaf collectors’ act like giant hands to help you pick lots of leafs at once, finally a light weight heavy duty sack you can easily take around the garden with you. Fitting drainpipe leaf filter guards is also a good idea, they are inexpensive and could save you a lot of bother!

3. Discard the debris

Get ride of plant and flower debris including dead leaves from flowers beds and vegetable patches. Get down and dig out all the annual plants and put them on your compost heap, avoid strain on your knees with protective gardeners’ knee pads. Flowering plants that grow year after year from their roots will need to be cut back. Take away bad leafs and flowers to make sure no rot develops and remove any weeds that might be hiding away under any plant foliage.

4. Start composting

So now you have cut back, trimmed and pruned until your heart is content, what to do with your sacks full of freshly harvested foliage and general organic waste? There’s only one thing you can do, start composting! The cold month give cuttings and leafs a chance to naturally break down and produce nutrient rich compost, which as we all know will offer benefit to your garden next year. Autumn is a great time to turn over your compost heap, this will re-heat the pile, create new passageways for air and moisture.

5. Prepare for next Spring

This is a fantastic task for a crisp Autumn day, sowing this time of year is cash in the bank without a great deal of effort, your garden will be part filled and ready to be looking blooming marvellous come next May. Plants like Ammi majus, Indian Prince, and the especially hardy Centaurea cyanus are all safe bets and look wonderful come next Spring. The more obvious but equally beautiful bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, are always a good idea. There is still a little time for plants to establish themselves before it gets really cold. So use this time to plant or move shrubs and trees to allow them to set down before the growing season. 

6. Never neglect your lawn.

To make sure you get a great looking lawn next spring, this time of year you want to mow less often and raise the height of the grass as the growth rate slows. Rake out dead grass and moss that has built up over the warmer months. Then apply a high potassium autumn lawn feed, which will strengthen the grass, preparing it for the rigours of winter, and provide a better quality lawn for the following spring. You can read more about lawn care here. Sharpen your tools for next season before you put them away.

7. Take care of furniture.

Unfortunately for everyone BBQ season is over. To enjoy your barbecue and furniture next season clean it down with a pressure washer or good old fashioned elbow grease and cover with some strong waterproof, heavy dutypoly covers are available for everything from your table to your lawn mower. If you’re covering wooden furniture make sure you allow air to flow to ensure the wood doesn't rot. You may also want to re-stain/ protect your wooden furniture at this stage. 

8. Enjoy the wildlife.

You can tempt wild birds into your garden by providing some extra food. At this time of year, put out food and water on a regular basis. Place your feeder near a tall shrub, fence or mature tree to provide protection from predators. You can also plant berry bearing plants for an extra source of food for birds and other wildlife. Hanging suet balls and placing meal worm will also attract birds.

9. Maintain your Pond