The start of the gardening (design) year

Whilst the allotment is still producing nicely and the night time visitors are ever present, things are slowing down a bit in the garden.

As I was having a nice brew with a client recently I was reminded that a common issue for clients considering garden re-design at this time of year, is thinking they can leave things until spring and summer before pushing ‘go’.

The risk is that you can get pushed down constructor waiting lists, and also make things more expensive. For example autumn and early winter is a great time for planting cheaper bare root hedges and roses and getting your perennials going before the cold snap.

It’s absolutely a time to embrace autumn, the fading cooler light and the slow cooked stews and fruity jams.

But one of many things I learned from a Great Dixter symposium with Fergus Garrett a few years ago was how they see Oct and Nov as the start of their gardening year. Whilst embracing the seasonal changes they are also paddling fast underwater to front load what others may consider jobs for spring.

I’ve found it useful to encourage clients to have this mindset too, to make sure that we keep making smart and thrifty decisions even though the garden may feel more on the back-burner right now.

In which case use the Contact Form above to talk through your design project during autumn as there may be advantages to your wallet and stress levels next spring if you get going now.