21 Nov Autumn Transition

This article has been written by Rachel McLeod for Planting Works.

As our glorious record breaking summer has been consigned to memory, we’ve been eased gently into Autumn. The warmer temperatures and sunshine are most welcomed. Frequent reviving showers have replenished once parched lawns and scorched leaves. The last fruits and vegetables of the season are clinging onto temperate climates. Tomatoes ripen on hot afternoons and jumbo pumpkins continue to flourish. Our trees are ablaze with colour in a farewell performance before winter lays them bare. Bright red leaves illuminate maple trees in a most impressive natural display of colour and form. A magical transition of colours and textures has begun. Red and orange dogwood stems burst from the ground, fluffy plumes of grasses waft in the wind, bright red and orange pyracantha berries flash out of hedges  and prickly  sweet  chestnut fruit fall to the ground.  Arbutus trees brim with their strawberry like fruit and winter shrubs such as viburnum and skimmia commence their floral pageant. Sleepy cyclamen emerge in delicate bright clumps as nerines dazzle in containers and pots. Pops of bright purple, candy like fruit burst from callicarpa bushes. Shiny fallen conkers lie on the ground sparking memories of school day challenges.  Busy squirrels dart around with treasured acorns ready to stash and birds dash to collect ripened berries. Long celebrated apple harvests generate a flurry of culinary activity from cider making to apple crumble baking and chutney making. Blustery days snatch leaves from trees sending them swirling haphazardly over paths and lawns.  Take a closer look on the ground and you will see fairy tale mushrooms emerging among fallen leaves and across forest floors in wooden debris. Breathtaking skies of salmon and fuchsia at dawn and atmospheric mists make a wonderful picture for any photographer. Shorter days create an urge to spend more time indoors relaxing and reflecting after long autumnal walks.

Turning your attention to the garden here are a few tasks and ideas for this time of year:

• Cut back perennials as they fade, leaving flower heads and stems to provide food for birds and shelter for insects
• Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils and tulips in containers or in beds
• Try your hand at planting amaryllis bulbs indoors to make a wonderful display
• “Frost proof” any pot containers by moving to a sheltered area or inside sheds or garages
• Solar lighting sticks can be cleaned with warm soapy water and lighting strings stored away to avoid damage
• Prune lavender and rosemary
• Make a pile of wood with pruned timber to create a wildlife haven in a corner of your garden
• Clean and cover outdoor furniture
• Repair and paint fencing and garden structures
• Clean and sharpen garden tools
• Give the lawn a last cut and rake over
• Install water buts for rainwater harvesting
• Gather green tomatoes and put them in a paper bag with a banana or apple to ripen or have a go at making chutney with the unripened fruit

Enjoy Autumn and all that it brings and if you need any help with reorganising your garden so that it works better for you then we’d be happy to give you a quote. We can also provide one off maintenance and clearance as well as ideas to update your outdoor and indoor planters.