Autumn in the air…

Autumn is definitely in the air. There is a chill in the mornings as we head into the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Of course, there are still going to be plenty of warm sunny afternoons and evenings to enjoy a barbecue before the end of the summer. It always seems that the garden, particularly the fruit and vegetables, is only getting underway before the summer seems to be nearing its end.

However, in garden terms, the end of the summer is actually the start of the planning season. If you are thinking of having a new patio area, this is a good time to think about your needs. Do you have enough space? Is the current position of your table and chairs in an area to benefit from evening sunshine? Where does the sun rise? Is there a possible area to make a small paved spot for a bench to sit and enjoy a morning cup of tea? Even in the winter, there are some lovely sunny mornings when it is possible to sit outside, even if we must wear a body warmer.

With the summer season still fresh in our minds, it’s a good time to reflect on successes and failures in the garden. Make a list of aspects you would like to change and keep it somewhere handy. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, but it is useful to refer to, particularly if you would like to avail of our design service.

The patio isn’t the only area to think about. If you had a large family gathering during the summer, was there enough room for everyone to park? Perhaps it would be good to have a better turning area. It isn’t necessary to be able to drive around the house in order to make better use of space. And don’t worry if you already have an area in tarmac or concrete. This could be left in situ with a new area of paving brick to supplement the existing space. You could make the maximum practical use of your garden with the minimum of fuss.

And although this summer is nearing its end, it is a perfect time to start work on your garden as it could be finished in time for next Spring. It may be easier to find a paving contractor and landscaper at this time of year as their workload becomes a bit lighter.

So lets not imagine this time of year to be the closing stages. Consider it the start of exciting new projects to keep you occupied through the autumn and winter. It’s the gateway to the new Spring just around the corner.

Mulch Ado About Nothing…

The weather has been much better in the last few weeks with very little rain and quite a lot of sunshine. This is absolutely delightful for us and the plants in the garden, but if you have any new plants or plants in containers, they will need to be well watered to avoid dehydration.

When watering, it is not enough to just wet the surface soil. If in doubt poke your finger into the soil by a few centimetres – the chances are that it will be bone dry, so give it a good soak. Also, deep watering encourages the roots to grow further downwards in search of the water which, long term, helps it to stay hydrated.

You may find a potted plant which you have forgotten about. If it looks as if it is at death’s door, don’t panic. Stand it in a bucket of water – overnight if necessary, and it should come back from the brink. Remember, if the plant is ericaceous (eg: Rhododendron, Camellia, Heather), it won’t like tap water so remember to use recycled rainwater.

If you have a flower bed which is in full sun, you can save yourself watering time by adding a good deep mulch of bark chips or recycled compost. It is necessary to give the bed a thorough weeding and watering before you put the mulch on. Ensure that the mulch is at least 15cm deep. Any thinner than this, and the weeds can grow through and the sun will penetrate and dry out the bed. It will make planted beds look much tidier and well-attended. Instead of wasting precious time standing around with the hose, you will be the envy of neighbours and friends as you can sit in the garden to relax and enjoy a little glass of something.

Little Green Monsters

The weather has been much better in the last few weeks with very little rain and quite a lot of sunshine. Hedgerows are in full leaf and herbaceous plants are bursting into life. I was just admiring my Aquilegia ‘Nora Barlow’ with their beautifully frilly mop head flowers and a newly planted rose which was producing lovely plump flower buds. On closer inspection however, I discovered another party who were also thoroughly enjoying them – aphids.

Aphids, or greenfly, are fat, greedy, sap-sucking mites which reproduce with amazing speed. Contrary to their name, they do not only come in green. They, and their relations, may also be red, black or white.

If you think a plant has wilted due to lack of water, look carefully, because it may have wilted for another reason. Once I realised the aphids had taken hold in the locality, I looked at a neighbouring pot of pansies (also their favourite) and discovered that the plants were wilting as a result of having their sap sucked out. But just as my heart was starting to sink, I suddenly discovered a hero in the piece – baby ladybirds. These little creatures are totally unrecognisable compared to the adult ladybird. Far from being red & shiny with black spots, the baby is a larva: spiky and black with yellow markings. It must be said, they aren’t the prettiest of babies, but they eat many times their weight in aphids, so if you find any on your plants, be very grateful.

On another plant loaded with aphids, I also discovered some lacewings. These creatures also eat aphids, and I sometimes wonder how many of them are killed by gardeners thinking they are greenfly, because they are green and only slightly bigger than an aphid, but they have long wings protruding out towards the back, so they are easily recognised once you know them.

There are many pesticides on the market, both organic and inorganic. There are nematodes which are live predators which will eat pests such as slugs. However, they are quite expensive and only tend to work in small areas, such as a greenhouse or conservatory, and once the pest has been eaten, the nematode will die out. Inorganic chemicals in pesticides are no longer very environmentally acceptable, and in the process of killing off the baddies, you will probably be killing off the good guys too. Some organic pesticides contain a substance which blocks the breathing pores of the pest, but again, you cannot guarantee to save the goodies from an undeserved death.

One of the easiest and quickest methods is to simply rub the aphids off the stems of plants. By the time I would have fetched a bottle of something nasty, I could have cleared the plant of the pest, and I can be more selective, saving the lacewings and ladybirds from meeting an unnecessary end. If you do choose this method, be sure not to damage any young flower buds. If you can’t bear to touch the little monsters, a jet of water from a hose will also help to dislodge them.

Keep an eye on any plants which you know to be susceptible. Check them quickly every day if possible. These beasts tend to arrive very suddenly and can do untold damage in a very short time. In order not to kill off the goodies, get photographs of lacewings and baby ladybirds and memorise their features. If you know who your friends are and look after them well, you won’t go far wrong.