Gardening Jobs For Autumn
The summer is over and before we know it autumn is upon us. We will see evenings gradually getting shorter and the temperature dropping. As we know, winter is only around the corner.
So what is there to be joyous about at this time of year as a gardener? Well, preparing for the winter of course! That us why we wrote this article ‘Gardening Jobs For Autumn’.
Planting and Transplanting Work
At Apco Garden Design, we find that Autumn is a really good time for transplanting plants and flowers, one of the Gardening Jobs For Autumn. This is true due to the soil being easy to work with with it’s high moisture content. This high moisture content is primarily due to the regular rain showers that we are so used to on the Emerald Isle! The soil is still warm enough during the summer and autumn for the plants to adapt to their new location and to form a new rooting system.
Autumn is not just a great time for transplanting but also for planting new plants. This, in essence, is your last chance before the winter to bring a bit of colour into the garden. A great flower to plant is Roses. These ideally should planted in Autumn, before the first ground frost arrives.
Planting Bulbs
Another of the Gardening Jobs For Autumn is the planting of bulbs. Autumn is an ideal season for this and allows their flowers to germinate from the soil when spring arrives. Choosing the correct location for the bulbs is critical for their survival and flowering chances. Most bulbs like fresh, wet soil so autumn is perfect for them. It is recommended that you plant your bulbs in your garden at a depth of two to three times their height. This facilitates their rooting and their growth.
Cutting Your Shrubs
As seasoned gardeners will know, when shrubs go yellow, their stems start to bend downward. Another possibility is that they start to go to seed. At this stage it is time to cut them down. The reason for this is that the shrubs are beginning to draw their sap back to their roots. If this crucial step is not done the shrubs may decay and rot.
One can cut their bushes and shrubs to around one quarter of their size. We recommend to our readers to research their type of shrub before undertaking this as it can vary. It is common to find this information on plant labels or from your local garden centre.
Cutting Hedges
Another of our recommended Gardening Jobs For Autumn is the cutting of hedges. Autumn is the perfect time for cutting hedges also. They should be pruned for the last time in autumn. This prevents decaying if damp accumulates. Apco Garden Design recommends that you only cut deciduous hedges back as far as you can without creating any holes. The reason for this is that they will more than likely not grow back over the winter. As a result, the hedge could look bare. A great suggestion we offer our readers is to remove any tree leaves lying on their hedges. If not, the hedge will not get enough fresh air and sun and may possibly rot as a result.
Lawns
In Ireland in the winter our wet days and low temperatures are not ideal conditions for our lawn to grow. A good ‘maintenance’ routine is part of Gardening Jobs For Autumn and is recommended before the cold spell begins. When the leaves fall from your trees in autumn onto your lawn, it is wise to clear them regularly. Leaves which are left lying on your lawn will deprive it of light. This will then lead to the formation of dry, brown patches and the possible growth of moss. It is best to cut your lawn for the last time around the start of November. Longer grass can make better use of the lack of sunlight in winter. We therefore recommend cutting your lawn no shorter than 5 cm. These steps will assist the lawn in surviving the winter and will ensure better resistance against weeds and moss.
Apco Garden Design also recommends using an autumn fertiliser. These can be picked up in any good garden centre. These fertilisers usually have a low nitrogen content and a high level of potassium. Potassium is a great chemical for your lawn as it strengthens the grass and increases its resistance to frost. It is important that you do not use traditional lawn fertilisers in autumn. This is due to them containing a high amount of nitrogen which makes the lawn grow faster, which in turn makes it more susceptible to frost.
What Else Can You Do?
A list of other Gardening Jobs For Autumn include:
• Dig out summer bulbs such as dahlias and store them in an airy box in the cellar.
• Bring potted plants indoors or place them in a sheltered position.
• Switch off water connections and empty taps and watering devices so that frozen water cannot cause any damage.
• Dismantle pond pumps and, if necessary, install an anti-ice pump.
How Can I Get A Free Consultation For A Garden Redesign?
We would be delighted to offer you suggestions and advice on your new garden design in Dublin. Apco Garden Design have a wealth of experience and knowledge with landscaping and garden design. We have many satisfied customers can attest to our professionalism and efficiency. Call us today on 01-6263496 or use our contact form.
