How To Plan Next Years Summer Garden

 

As the summer draws to a close, you’re might already be thinking about the changes you want to see in your garden before next summer arrives. Often, some changes take a while, as you may need nature to take its course. So there will be things that you will need to do throughout the autumn, and winter months, that will help you to create the changes you want to see.

What Didn’t Work

The first thing you need to think about for next year is what failed this year. Ask yourself why it failed, and what could you do differently. You may choose to have another go at planting the same things, or you may want to give something new a go.

Reviewing your garden will allow you to make stronger decisions for next year. There will be plants that worked well, and which you will look to do again.

Plan The Big Changes Now

If you intend on making any significant changes to the landscape of your garden, get a head start. You may want to think about doing this during the autumn or winter months, where you are not disrupting any plants, and before you are ready to sow any seeds ahead of next spring.

If the weather is particularly harsh for you at winter, think about getting all of your work done in the autumn instead. If any of the jobs are unusually large, you may need to hire contractors to help you. Ask friends, family, and colleagues for advice on who to hire, failing that, be sure and check online for reviews of local firms, before seeking out quotes from the best options.

However, if you are determined to tackle the work yourself, you will need to think about the arsenal of tools you have at your disposal. If you have a rusty lawnmower and don’t have the OPE parts available or you don’t have the goods, now is the time to start investing in the equipment you need to create the garden you envisage. Much like the painter and their palette, the same will apply to you if you have big plans in mind.

Take Soil Samples

If you want the best from your garden next year, you need to get your soil right. There may have been changes to the acidity of your soil. If your tests come back worse than you expected, then you will need to get your soil treated. Having soil problems could result in unhealthy or dead plants.

Swap Perennials 

One of the great things about perennials is that they come back every year, and you don’t need to do much for them. However, variety is the spice of life. You may want to think about switching things up a bit and planting some different perennials. You can save money by swapping with neighbours or looking out for local plant swap events with groups such as Transition towns or LETS.

Prepare A Planting Schedule

You need to know when to plant everything so that you hit the peak time for it to flower. Think about getting daffodil bulbs down in September as well as any other bulbs that flower in the spring. Around this time you need to take inside any plants that may get damaged by the frost.

Think about sowing Scottish wildflowers in early autumn too. Then, your garden will spring to life once the winter has cleared, and you will have a vibrant, bright meadow. These are particularly useful to the entire ecosystem of your garden. Wildflowers will attract plenty of bees to your garden; this will help with pollination.

Over October and November, you can start to sow tulips, which will give you a shot of color when it comes to March and April.

In November, you will want to start thinking about planting your shrubs, and any trees or edging plants. Don’t forget to protect the roots of your plants around this time too by putting down mulch.

If you want to grow plants such as sweet pea and tomatoes, then you will want to plant the seeds of these in the early part of the year.

Do All Of Your Weeding In The Winter

In the middle of winter, you can get your weeds cleared. Where your patio may have gathered moss, or have weeds between the cracks, you can get these removed now ahead of spring. You should also look at doing some pruning in the winter when the branches are bare.

Your summer garden will take a lot of preparation, and the winter can feel like one long garden task. It can be very enjoyable working through the colder months though. Once you have found the motivation to get outside when the chill is bitter, then you might be surprised how much you enjoy it – and getting into the fresh air is so good for you!