Our outdoor space can be hugely affected because of the changes in seasons. In the winter, the frost can play havoc, while the summer months sometimes bring too much sunshine. This can make it difficult to keep your space looking good all-year round. Here, we delve into which plants you should look to plant in each season and how you can ensure your patch is always in peak condition.
Winter
The winter months are sometimes seen as being extremely tough on gardeners. However, with perfect preparation in the autumn months, this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, good planning can help your winter garden look beautiful with little effort. However, although your lawn may not need cutting as often as there is less sunshine, it’s still important that you care for it, mainly so you prevent issues such as lawn frostbite.
Your space can suffer when your lawns freeze. It can ‘heave up’ due to excess water. Snow can also cause the fungal disease named snow mould. Usually, the main culprit for this is the pesky snow men. Although fun to make as a family, the density of snow can kill your grass. Make sure you’re clearing excess snow as soon as possible to give your space the chance to thrive as much as possible.
Spring
Spring is when your garden is known to ‘come alive’. The winter frost is thawing and there’s beginning to be some activity among crops and shrubs. Just as you do in the home, your garden needs a spring clean. You should check for signs of unwanted growth and prep your beds, removing all the debris from your winter collection. If you didn’t prune in the winter, now is the time to do so, but make sure you do so before the buds break into bloom or you’ll run the risk of stressing the tree and getting very little crop.
The majestic colours on show from your shrubs and plants as they grow may be a great sight, but it’s certainly not a time to sit still. Plant some summer-blooming shrubs and allow your garden to continue thriving into the next season. A great example includes the Bluebeard shrub. This bloomer is easy to upkeep and isn’t phased if we get a drought. It’ll also bring birds and butterflies to your space to add a lovely wildlife image for you to bask in. If blue isn’t for you, try the Butterfly bush in its purple, pink or white representation. Growing up to 10-feet tall, this beauty offers a longer bloom season than lilacs and may well run past summer and into autumn too.
Summer
Let’s face it, summer is when you’ll be most likely to spend time in the garden. Whether it’s gardening your greenery or chilling back on your deck chair placed nicely on your gleaming Trex composite decking. However, to make it a space you’re proud of can take some effort. With your grass growing at a speed far faster than any other season, it’s crucial you keep on top of its growth spurts. While it’s recommended that you keep it slightly longer during the summer months, it’s still advised that you mow your lawn a couple of times a week, unless there’s a harsh drought period where one cut a week will suffice.
You may also find weeds are more of a nuisance because of the sunnier climes. Make sure you are eradicating any weed issues as often they are competing with your lawn for moisture and, sadly, weeds often come out on top, leaving your lawn looking less than ideal.
To ensure your space is as colourful as possible in the autumn months, look to plant your seeds such as nerines, in July. This can help you to continue having a brilliant floral display for the coming months.
Autumn
Autumn, alongside spring, is the season which is most important for gardeners. This is because it’s a great time of year for undergoing transplanting work due to the moisture levels of the soil caused by regular showers. Due to the summer warmth, spring bulbs and next summer’s bulbs should be planted by the end of September to allow them to adjust to their new surroundings and grow their roots. This will set them in the perfect position to bloom next year once the frost thaws.
This season is also the perfect time to prep your garden for the winter due to the likelihood that you won’t be able to spend much time outdoors because of the anticipated weather. You must make sure that you cut your grass for the last few times before the cold kicks in. When doing this, you should lower the height of your lawnmower by a notch or two. Excessively long grass can cause problems in your garden throughout the colder climes, and it doesn’t look appealing either. However, don’t scalp your grass as this can expose it to more extreme conditions.
Take this time to fertilise your space. Make sure you don’t use too much, though, as this can burn your grass. You can also spread a cool-weather grass seed to make sure it stays in good condition despite the icy weather. Remember, just because you won’t need to tend to it as often as in warmer climes, it’s important that you don’t leave any debris or toys on the lawn as this can create disease conditions, or worse still, invite unwanted pests to your garden.
If it’s colour during the bleak months that you’re hoping for, it’s important to prepare during this season. You’ll need to pick plants of a good size due to the fact they’ll grow very little in winter. Good examples include the Bergenia, which is also known as elephant ear. With varying shade of pink, red and purple, this flower should bloom and brighten up your garden in the year’s earlier months.
Snowdrops, as the name suggests are another good choice for a bit of brightness in January and February. If you would like a bronze purple colour added to your garden between November and March, try planting some clematis cirrhosa var. balearica.
So, there you have it. Follow the steps above and you’ll be well on the way to having an attractive and well-presented garden space all year round. Remember, gardening requires a lot of pro-active methods, so don’t leave it too long. Think ahead of the seasons and your patch will prosper!
Sources
https://www.thespruce.com/winter-lawn-care-tips-2152907
https://www.lovethegarden.com/advice/gardening/flowers-shrubs/winter-flowering-plants
https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/topic/lawn-cuttings/frost-freezing-and-snow
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=95
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/shrubs/summer-blooming-shrubs/?slideId=slide_fccaf008-2557-4a0f-acef-c04f01f091e8#slide_fccaf008-2557-4a0f-acef-c04f01f091e8
https://www.gardena.com/uk/garden-life/garden-magazine/checklist-for-gardening-work-in-autumn/
https://www.gardenhealth.com/how-to-look-after-your-lawn-in-the-summer
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