Evergreen Garden Care Launches Cross-Channel Autumn Campaign

The first day of autumn (23rd September) is hot on our heels, and new research from garden care experts, Miracle-Gro (lovethegarden.com) reveals that over a third of Brits are missing the key autumn window to prep for their spring blooms, as 30% don’t know autumn is a key time of year for gardening(1). 

It’s surprising to find out that half of those with a garden spend less than 16 hours per week outside during the season for a variety of reasons, whether it be the chillier weather or the lack of autumn gardening knowledge.

80% of Brits take to their gardens in spring and summer, missing out on the key preparation time that is needed in the autumnal months. In fact, only 20% think their garden needs help in the colder months, and over 75% think autumn is the season to totally leave their garden to its own accord.

Miracle-Gro is on-hand to help the UK with its garden care and to encourage the people of Britain to take to their gardens in autumn - something they’ll be grateful for come spring when their garden thanks them by being in full bloom. What’s more, autumn gardening comes with a huge range of benefits, from getting out in nature to improve mental health or simply saving yourself a bigger job in the spring. 

Top Autumn Gardening Tips from Miracle-Gro’s Gardening Guru, Kate Turner:

Lawn Care is Key

Although we may not spend as much time in the garden in autumn, starting your lawn care in at this time is one of my biggest tips. This will ensure lush, green grass in the warmer months that isn’t patchy. Keep your lawn well fed with Miracle-Gro® 2 in 1 Nourish & Protect Seaweed Lawn Food and sow seed, as well as clearing any fallen leaves away regularly. (Autumn lawn care, Fast Grass Seed, Autumn and Spring Premium lawn Food) 

Consider Colour Over the Colder Months

Now is the time to dig up any old summer annuals (plants that flower for one season before dying) for compost and replace them with plants that will bloom in the autumn and winter such as violas, pansies, bellis daisies, wallflowers and cyclamens. These will add colour over the colder months and keep your garden looking bright. 

Bulbs are Your Best Friends

Bulbs are one of my favourite quick and easy wins to add colour to the garden (and a cheaper option than buying flowers in spring!) that can be planted in autumn. Plus, they then need very little maintenance until the spring! 

Make a ‘bulb lasagne’ to create a successional display of gorgeous flowers throughout spring. Layer your bulbs in a container, with the biggest and latest flowering at the bottom. Follow with a layer of bulb fibre (compost specifically designed for growing bulbs), then medium bulbs. Continue the process until all bulbs are planted in order of size, and top with violas that are currently in bloom.

• Camasias – September
• Daffodils – Sept-Oct
• Crocus – Sept to Oct
• Alliums – Sept – Nov
• Winter Iris – Sept-Nov
• Tulips – later in November 

Keep Wildlife in Mind

Shrubs with berries will not only add bright reds and yellows to your garden over the winter but will also encourage birds to your garden as they will eat the fruit. The birds will then help you protect your plants by keeping caterpillars and aphids in check! Feeding the shrubs with Miracle-Gro Rose & Shrub Continuous Release Plant Food will help keep them lush and full.

Mulch is Your Friend

Continue to weed and clear leaves from any borders and add mulch (products like bark that help enrich soil) in a thick layer on top of your soil. This will help protect roots from winter cold and stop soil from being washed away - as well as keeping weeds at bay and adding nutrients to the soil. 

Some of my favourite additions to mulch:

• Loose dog hair or human hair to help birds and wildlife in making their nests.
• Extra animal bedding (such as rabbit bedding), or wet shredded newspaper to help with insulation.

Add Structure with Shrubs

Plant evergreen shrubs in autumn to help brighten the garden when other plants go dormant. Fatsia Japonica, Acuba Japonica and Skimmia Japonica are fantastic options that can add structure and light with their large, glossy green leaves. (All-purpose peat free compost) 

Help Your Houseplants

Now the sunlight is not as hot, houseplants can be moved nearer a natural light source. Make sure they’re kept away from any cold draughts, and not placed too close to heat sources like radiators or open fires. 

The following plants are a fantastic way to brighten up your home during the cold, dark months:

• Moth orchid - This will still need the occasional feed and water. Miracle-Gro Pump and Feed Orchid is perfect for a fuss-free feed.
  
  
• Pink Quill - Very little care is needed by pink quills, that will flower in the winter if exposed to enough sunlight
  
  
• Flaming Katy - This plant comes in an array of bright colours such as yellow and pink, and if bought in flower in autumn will still bloom as long as it is kept warm and bright. Feeding a Flaming Katy once a month will help its longevity.

Alongside Kate’s top tips and tricks, Miracle-Gro has created an interactive house map showing exactly how to keep your garden going through the autumn and winter seasons – just visit lovethegarden.com.

“Spring gardens are grown in autumn! Whether your plants are inside or out, there are lots of tasks, big and small, that can be done to protect and prepare for spring during the colder months. Kate Turner says.

“If you give your garden time and care in the autumnal months, you will reap the rewards come springtime. That’s why I’ve put together my top autumn gardening tips, to serve as inspiration for how to protect, nourish and grow your plants for the future, and most of all, make the most of your garden all year round!”

Source : Evergreen Garden Care

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