Spring and summer tend to be the seasons that most people associate with spending time in their garden – and for good reason. As the temperatures begin to rise, and daylight extends well into the evening, our gardens come into their own. We can spend time tending to garden chores, and also just sitting back and enjoying the beauty of our outdoor space.
In contrast, fall and winter tend to fare less well when it comes to enjoying a garden; the nights draw in, the temperatures plummet, and the fallen leaves pile up. During these seasons, a garden can sometimes be seen as more of a burden than something to be enjoyed. While it is true that gardens can be difficult to make the most of in winter – due to a combination of poor growth, weak daylight, and freezing temperatures – when it comes to fall, there is still hope. The tips below will help ensure you can enjoy your garden for a few more months of 2019 yet…
#1 – Add a provision for both light and heat
Spending summer evenings outdoors in the garden is always delightful, but it can seem impossible to replicate this activity in the fall. There’s less light due to the earlier sunsets, and the temperature quickly becomes too cold to comfortably sit out in. Thankfully, you can address both problems with one addition to your garden, patio heaters, fire pits, and chimeneas are popular options. Adding a fire pit or chimineas will provide warmth and light long after the sun has dipped below the horizon.
#2 – Mulch rather than clear your leaves
Clearing fallen leaves is a thankless task; as soon as you clear your garden, new leaves will have inevitably fallen to replace the ones you have removed. The solution, then, is to… not remove them at all – instead, save yourself a huge amount of time by mulching the leaves into your lawn instead. It’s usually best to shop for a specifically-designed mulching mower for the most reliable results, though you can also switch to a mulching blade on your existing mower if you prefer. This is a great way to deal with the leaves.
#3 – Continue to protect yourself from UV rays during the day
Many people find that spending time relaxing in their garden during the daytime is more pleasant in fall due to the lower temperatures and humidity. However, it’s important to note that you can still get sunburn even if the day feels relatively cool; it’s UV rays, rather than the air temperature, that can harm your skin. As a result, you may want to shop for patio covers and similar methods of providing garden shade, wear loose clothing, and avoid spending time outside when the sun is at its highest – just as you would do in summer.
#4 – Look forward
Finally, if planting is one of your favorite garden activities, then there’s no need to stop just because summer has ended. You can plant flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, snowdrops, and tulips during fall in anticipation of a glorious bloom of color early in the spring of next year. In addition, there are also a number of vegetables that can be planted during the fall months, so whatever your preference, you can keep planting right until winter arrives.
In conclusion
If you decide to use some of the above ideas, you will be able to continue to use and enjoy your garden well into the fall season. Now that sounds like a lot of fun to me, because I love the Fall season.
