Autumn is definitely in the air. There is a chill in the mornings as we head into the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Of course, there are still going to be plenty of warm sunny afternoons and evenings to enjoy a barbecue before the end of the summer. It always seems that the garden, particularly the fruit and vegetables, is only getting underway before the summer seems to be nearing its end.
However, in garden terms, the end of the summer is actually the start of the planning season. If you are thinking of having a new patio area, this is a good time to think about your needs. Do you have enough space? Is the current position of your table and chairs in an area to benefit from evening sunshine? Where does the sun rise? Is there a possible area to make a small paved spot for a bench to sit and enjoy a morning cup of tea? Even in the winter, there are some lovely sunny mornings when it is possible to sit outside, even if we must wear a body warmer.
With the summer season still fresh in our minds, it’s a good time to reflect on successes and failures in the garden. Make a list of aspects you would like to change and keep it somewhere handy. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, but it is useful to refer to, particularly if you would like to avail of our many design services at Tobermore.
The patio isn’t the only area to think about. If you had a large family gathering during the summer, was there enough room for everyone to park? Perhaps it would be good to have a better turning area. It isn’t necessary to be able to drive around the house in order to make better use of space. And don’t worry if you already have an area in tarmac or concrete. This could be left in situ with a new area of paving brick to supplement the existing space. You could make the maximum practical use of your garden with the minimum of fuss.
And although this summer is nearing its end, it is a perfect time to start work on your garden as it could be finished in time for next Spring. It may be easier to find a paving contractor and landscaper at this time of year as their workload becomes a bit lighter.
So lets not imagine this time of year to be the closing stages. Consider it the start of exciting new projects to keep you occupied through the autumn and winter. It’s the gateway to the new Spring just around the corner.