Now the evenings are drawing in, you might be tempted to leave any gardening jobs until next year when spring returns. But there are still plenty of things you can do to protect your plants and prepare your garden for the cold weather. Although we’re best known for carrying out local repairs in Derby, we also provide a range of outdoor services to make gardens easier to maintain for our customers. Here we look at the jobs you could do over the coming weeks that will help your garden survive the winter, and why it’s not too early to be thinking about the changes you want to make next year.
Clear up leaves and debris.
The leaves might look pretty as they change colour, but it’s worth sweeping them up as they start to fall. By clearing up leaves and other debris from your paths, grass, and paving slabs, you’ll let in as much light as possible and prevent mould from building up. Think of it as giving your garden a quick tidy up. Even a few minutes will make a difference and the outside of your house will be easier to navigate around.
Weather-proof your decking.
Autumn is the ideal time to prepare your decking before the harsh winter weather kicks in. Begin by removing any mould with a specialist cleaning product before staining it to add colour and protect against UV damage. Finish off by adding a waterproof sealant to stop any moisture from seeping in to extend the life of your decking. A company specialising in local repairs can help you with this and make sure your decking doesn’t pose any safety hazards before it’s prepped up for the colder months.
Prune back your garden hedges.
Although many people assume that summer is a good time to trim back the hedges in their garden, holding off until autumn has many benefits. By waiting until the season changes, you’ll avoid disturbing any birds who are hiding away during the nesting period. It will also help to maintain the hedges’ shape, which will provide shelter from harsh weather, and enable you to enjoy any late blooming flowers such as roses that add colour well into autumn.
Scarify your lawn and lay down fresh turf.
Arguably more technical than it sounds, scarifying your lawn is the removal of dead grass, moss, and other debris. This can be done with a metal rake and helps to improve the health of your lawn by making it easier for water, air, and other nutrients to be absorbed into the soil. It’s also a good idea to give your lawn a last mow or two before it gets too damp and lay down fresh turf if you need it. As a local repairs company, we regularly install lawn edging to make future maintenance easier, so this is an option worth considering if you’re not a fan of gardening or struggle to find the time.
Start thinking about any garden changes you’d like to make.
Spring may seem a long way off, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make new plans for your garden over autumn and winter. Plant any hedges that you’d like to add and relocate dormant trees and shrubs to a different space if you fancy a change. You can also get rid of any weeds and grass that are growing where you’re planning to put new plants as this will help them to grow faster. Although spring and summer really give keen gardeners the chance to shine, there’s still work to be done in autumn, so make the most of the dry days and the challenges that come with the changing season.
Contact ASK Building & Repairs for help with your local repairs and garden maintenance.
Contrary to popular belief, autumn is the ideal time to book in gardening work. Not only do contractors typically have more availability at this time of year, but it means your garden will be ready to enjoy when the evenings are lighter, and the weather improves again.
If you’d like ASK Building and Repairs to help you get your garden ready for autumn, or you want to enquire about booking in some work, please contact Guy by calling 07773 019 410 or send an email to info@askbuildingandrepairs.com.