AUGUST ROUNDUP - Autumn is fast approaching, competing with AI, and why you should care about birds nesting patterns

Does it feel like autumn yet? Following the driest summer in a long time, the brown grass and trees sure already make it look like it! As a matter of fact, here's what Google says: July temperatures were the warmest since 2018, rainfall was significantly below average, and irrigation (artificially watering your plants) was "likely essential to prevent damage."

However, if you haven't had the garden hose out every evening, hope is not lost as autumn becomes the ideal season to treat your lawn and prepare it for the colder months, so you can have a fresh start in spring.

Project Spotlight: Front garden makeover in Bedford

It always feels like starting on the back foot when you’re up against an AI-generated picture that a customer sends over. The client already had a very clear vision of what they wanted for their front garden makeover, so the challenge was making that digital image a reality on the ground.

In this project, we completely modernised the space in front of this house with a clean, low-maintenance design. The space was rebuilt with fresh planting beds framed in black edging, neat rows of evergreens for privacy, and bark mulch and slate chippings to give structure and colour.

The end result is a smart, welcoming front-of-house that looks sharp now, but will only get better as the plants mature. In fact, the outcome impressed the neighbours a few doors down so much that they’ve asked us to do the same for them!

Tool of the month

This month, we want to highlight this mean machine: the scarifier. This is an indispensable piece of equipment for maintaining a healthy lawn. It removes thatch (dead grass) and moss, allowing air, water, and essential nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily.

The scarifier shines particularly in autumn when lawns get ready for the winter. By incorporating this tool, we help homeowners achieve resilient lawns that can withstand colder weather.

A recent survey revealed that lawns treated with a scarifier saw a 50% increase in moisture retention, which is vital as temperatures begin to drop. Keen to see this scary (see what I did there) looking tool whizz around your property? Get in touch with us today.

What’s Next

Charlie's tip for September: For gardeners, it's critical to be aware of the local wildlife. September sees the conclusion of the bird nesting season and as birds will be leaving their nests, it is an excellent time to trim your hedges and prune your trees.

Another great tip for gardeners is to prepare their spaces for the upcoming winter. This involves:

• Planting spring bulbs: Early planting can give you a colorful garden right after winter fades.

• Mulching (see picture below): This helps preserve soil moisture and regulates temperature.

Also, consider planting cover crops, like clover or vetch, which enrich the soil and prevent erosion during winter. This practice not only helps your garden but also supports local wildlife by creating habitats and food sources.