The fresh crisp air energising your soul, a warm coffee steaming on the patio table, birds chirping and the soft morning sun gently shining down on your garden. This. This is the best time to garden! And luckily for you, this perfect, imaginary setting is about to become a reality we move into autumn and winter gardening!
The Beauty in Progress
As we transition into the colder months of the year, many people pack away their gardening tools, perhaps throw a frost cover over a plant or two, and then lock it up until spring arrives. This is exactly the worst thing you can do for your precious garden.
Now, more than ever, your garden needs you to be there and show some TLC, because summer gardens are made in winter! With careful planning, planting, pruning and grooming, you can ensure your garden looks delightful in the colder months, while we work towards the ultimate yearly glow-up that is spring and summer.
Remember, it’s small consistent steps that enrich a routine and help us work towards creating something magnificent. The true beauty in progress.
Gardening in Autumn & Winter
As the temperature starts to drop and the leaves begin to fall, autumn and winter can be an excellent time to get outside and tend to your garden (this is when the garden students turn to garden masters!). There are loads of beautiful flowers and plants to grow during this time of the year, adding splashes of colour to your garden that will make the neighbours peek over the wall more than once.
Gardening in the colder months have practical benefits too. It’s very therapeutic and enjoyable – ensuring you’re still soaking up some sun and enjoying the much-needed vitamin D this time of the year.
Below are some tips to help you get started, and for the serious soil lovers, we recommend downloading and keeping the Builders Autumn and Winter Garden Calendar to use as a monthly checklist of what to plant, harvest and prune during the next few months.
Builders GM calendar Mar – Aug Web
Things To Do In Your Garden Now
Clean up the garden – As autumn arrives, it’s time to clean up the garden by removing fallen leaves, dead branches, and debris. This is an essential step to keep your garden healthy and tidy. Grab a few of our handy Garden Bags at Makro to help you tidy up the space with ease.
Falling leaves can clog up ponds as they sink to the bottom, decompose and cause harmful by-products. To clean them up and prevent them from falling in the water, you can place fine-mesh netting across the top and secure edges with bricks. To help you keep your pool clean and sparkling too, check out some of our BlueChem range of poolcare products here.
Plant bulbs – Autumn is the perfect time to plant bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. These bulbs need a period of cold to flower, so planting them in autumn ensures that they bloom in spring. Plant a few hyacinth bulbs for indoor aroma and colour. Plant them in moist, quality potting soil in a shallow bowl and place in a dark cupboard until the flower spikes break.
Plant flowers – yep! These flowers will be the perfect backdrop for your seasonal garden party. Plant Iceland poppies as companions for pansies, violas and calendulas as well as fillers in between pruned roses in winter.
Prune shrubs and trees – Pruning your shrubs and trees in autumn helps to shape them and promote healthy growth. It’s important to prune before the first frost, as this helps to reduce the risk of damage from the cold weather.
Start a compost pile – Autumn is a great time to start a compost pile. Fallen leaves and garden debris can be added to the pile, providing a natural source of fertilizer for your garden. Check out our latest blog about composting here – all the dirt, none of the smell. Composting: What, why and how?
Download and browse some of the gardening gear you’ll need to get started here.
Benefits of gardening in the colder months:
- Fresh air and exercise – Gardening in autumn and winter provides an opportunity to get outside and breathe in the fresh air, which helps to combat seasonal affective disorder. It’s also a great form of exercise, helping to keep you active and healthy.
- Stress relief – Gardening has been shown to be an effective form of stress relief. Spending time in nature and tending to your garden can be therapeutic and calming, reducing worries and anxiety.
- Winter interest – By planting bulbs and evergreen shrubs, you can create a garden that is interesting and attractive throughout the winter months. This provides a visual focal point and makes the garden a welcoming space, even when it’s icy out there.
- Improved soil quality – By starting a compost pile and adding organic matter to your garden, you can improve the soil quality. This helps to promote healthy plant growth and encourages beneficial soil organisms.
- Extend the growing season – By planting certain crops such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and carrots, you can extend the growing season and enjoy fresh produce well into the winter months.
There you have it! Who’s ready to earn their Garden Master badge this year? Progressing from the occasional gardening student to the one everyone refers to on community groups as the go-to garden master.
By following these handy tips, you can make the most of your garden in the colder months and create a space that is beautiful and functional all year round. Grab your gardening gloves, bundle up, and get ready to enjoy the beauty of the autumn and winter gardening.
View the Garden Master Autumn Catalogue here
