Now that summer has ended, it may seem like it's time to say goodbye to your garden until next year, but that's not the case. Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the upcoming year. You can start by cleaning and sealing your Indian sandstone paving and planning your garden for next spring. Taking care of a few garden tasks now can make your life easier and your garden more beautiful next year. That said, here are three garden jobs to get sorted this autumn.
Plant and protect
Now that we are firmly in the autumn season, it is time to prepare your garden for winter. This prep begins by addressing the most fragile parts of your garden - the plants. If you have a green thumb, this is the perfect time to start planting your spring flowers if you haven't already. Autumn is a great time to plant bulbs and vegetables. Daffodils, allium, tulips, and crocuses are all brilliant plant options that thrive over winter. For vegetable lovers, carrots, spinach, kale, turnips, and radish are great autumn planting options.
However, it's important to remember that while any newly planted bulbs will be safe underground, many of your current plants will struggle with the dropping temperatures as we move towards winter.
To keep your current plants in great condition throughout winter, you can do a few things. For example, laying down some mulch can help protect them from frost or snow, acting like a blanket. Mulch can be anything organic, such as wood chippings, fallen leaves, or compost. This protective layer will help keep your plants warm, trap moisture and prevent weeds, making your life much easier come springtime.
If you have potted plants susceptible to the cold, such as tropical varieties, it's best to move them into a greenhouse or conservatory for the winter. If this isn't feasible, garden fleecing is an excellent alternative. Garden fleecing can be found at most home and garden shops. By wrapping your plants in a couple of layers of garden fleecing, you can help keep them warm when the frost sets in, almost like a jacket!
Clear fallen leaves off your Indian sandstone paving
One of the most beautiful things about autumn is the vibrancy of the trees as they change from green to orange and red. However, the novelty of that beauty soon wears off when the leaves start falling from the trees and covering your garden. As lovely as the view can be for the first couple of days, eventually, these fallen leaves break into a brown sludge that can be very damaging to the aesthetic of your Indian sandstone paving.
As the surface of sandstone is porous, as the leaves break down, the liquids they produce can sink through the surface and create unsightly brown staining on your lovely stones that can be incredibly difficult to remove. So, as a preventative measure, consistently remove the leaves before they can settle on your paving for a lengthy period. You can do this with a leaf blower or a rake, but a great tip is to collect the leaves and store them as mulch for your plants!
Clean and seal your patio
Every UK resident knows that the weather in the UK can be unpredictable, even at the best of times. That's why it's essential to periodically clean and seal your Indian sandstone. If it's been a couple of years since you last sealed your paving, it's probably time to refresh it. Our few weeks of autumn are the perfect window to give your patio some attention so you can have peace of mind knowing it's set for winter. This will also help prevent stains from any leaves or debris you may miss while raking.
Remove any debris, weeds or other plant matter from your stones. Then, give your patio a quick sweep with a stiff yard brush, eliminating any leftover dirt and residue that could encourage mould or fungus growth over the winter months. If any spots or patches need a deeper clean, then some mild, soapy water and a soft, bristled brush should do the trick. Scrub them, gently rinse them with the hose, and leave them to dry. Once your stones are dry, you can proceed to sealing.
These are just a few of our suggestions - if you have any questions or need more in-depth advice on preparing your Indian sandstone paving for the winter season, don’t hesitate to ask! You can call us on 01282 860571, and one of our friendly staff members will be happy to help. And if you’re looking to get some new flooring down in time for next spring, we’ve got no shortage to choose from right here on our site, from our Autumn Brown, Kandla Grey to Golden Leaf.