Autumn is PERFECT planting time – the soil is warm and moist. The dry ‘stressful’ summer has passed, but temperatures haven’t plummeted yet. This transition phase from summer to winter, gives rise to perfect growing conditions for trees and shrubs in the garden. With time to ‘settle in’ and establish a robust root system before going dormant for the winter, these plants will be in a great position for spring, before a further growth spurt takes hold.
A piece of advice though: don’t get carried away – think about your planting decisions, as well as relying on instinct. Ever tried growing something that didn’t take?…and then tried again with the same result? There’s a reason it isn’t taking. Start with what you know grows well and then take time to plan beyond this. Take a look in neighbours’ gardens, visit local gardens, visit your local garden centre, take advice, and then make decisions… it will save you problems in the long run. It doesn’t mean planting has to be boring – you can be ‘adventurous’ in the garden, just avoid ‘reckless adventure’ and you’ll avoid disappointment!
So Autumn is a time to contemplate spring… and as well as plant shrubs, trees, herbaceous plants, hedging, etc, is the right time to get your bulbs in the ground for spring colour next year. With daffodil, crocus, iris, hyacinth, tulip, snowdrop bulbs, plus many more, there is plenty of choice when it comes to deciding what to wake your garden up with after the lull of winter! …and if you can’t wait that long, a splash of colour can of course be added now with winter bedding like pansies, violas, wall flowers and cyclamen!
