Last days of summer

With the last days of summer and the fading light Autumn is almost upon us.

For trees this is one of the most beautiful times of year, as the lush green from spring and summer disappear replaced with the most beautiful oranges and reds in a way that makes the landscape start to look like it is on fire.

The scrunch of leaves underfoot as we take long walks with the children in search of conkers returning home for hot chocolate by the fire.

For the team at DP Horticulture it’s the time of year for the big garden clean up.

Removing the dead leaves from the herbaceous perennials, sorting out the borders and putting away plant supports. Even cleaning out nest boxes and feeders and leaving the lawn looking trim as the gardens start to gear up for their dormant winter state.

September is also the month that see’s the start of our autumn lawn treatments.

During late September and early October, we start to apply a fertiliser which has a high potassium and phosphorus content. This is aimed at encouraging good root growth and improving the general health of the plant.  We also apply another weed kill or a moss control depending on what it most beneficial at the time.

We think autumn I summed up best in the words of Alys Fowler:

“I am made for Autumn. Summer and I have a fickle relationship, but everything about Autumn is perfect to me. Wooly jumpers, scarves, thin first, then thick, socks.

The low slanting light, the crisp mornings, the chill in my fingers, those last warm sunny days before the rain and the wind. The moody hues and subdued palate punctuated every now and again by a brilliant orange, scarlet or copper goodbye”