GARDENING TIPS for the Autumn

This season is all about picking up and packing down before the arrival of winter. We asked Simon from The Little Garden People on Boston Road what are his top tips for making the most of our Autumn gardens

1 Cutting back

After a growthful spring and summer season, the first priority in any person ' s garden is to cut back any overgrown shrubs, annuals and any vegetables which have given all there is to give for this growing season Cutting back and clearing is crucial to the forthcoming months in your garden as this allows for vital growing areas in your garden to be utilised and fulfilled to their full potential (winter veggies) So now you have a considerably large amount of plant material from all the cutting back, this can be put back to use as mulch or compost Once broken down these magical leaves can enrich your soil with nutrients and also will be a helping hand to suppress weeds

2 Protecting vulnerable plants

As I travel around Ealing I cannot help but notice there is an abundance of tropical and tender plants flourishing throughout the summer months As the weather gets warmer, we are able to grow these stunning specimens, however during the winter months these plants will need a helping hand going into autumn in order to return year after year A few jobs that seem very small will give great impact to these plants come next summer Mulch on the ground around tubers and perennials will protect from ground frost Use materials to wrap pots with bubble wrap to save root temperatures from dropping down into the minuses Where you can, bring tender exotic plants inside such as musa (banana plant) , citrus plants, alocasia and cannas Another option is to bring vulnerable pots close to the wall of your house, this will allow the warmth from your home to keep the pots from freezing If you have any doubt whether your plant is tender, seek advice online or, of course, visit us in store and we will be happy to advise you

3 Plant bulbs and winter veggies

Let the vegetable party carry on! August is the best time to plant winter vegetables and planting them now will get them established against the inevitable frost My top five hardy vegetables are: kale (midnight sun), spinach (gigante d'inverno, cabbage (cabbice), Swiss chard (bright lights) and my favourite, garlic (carcassonne wight) There are also plenty more you can plant this winter including winter bulbs, these little bundles of colour get overlooked as most gardeners think of planting colour in spring For example, Oxalis (versicolor), tulip (estella rijnveld), Allium (hair), Fritillaria (meleagris), Muscari (soulmate)

4 Helping hand for wildlife

Birds and other wildlife can find it difficult to survive winter months and finding food can also be tough once the ground is frozen You can lend a helping hand by hanging sunflower seeds, peanuts or mealworms You can also make your own fat balls to keep costs down using left overs including butter, peanuts, oats, currants and a little bit of twine, which the birds will be forever grateful for It also provides a lovely watch out of your window as birds flock in for your homemade meals

5. Enjoy your garden www.instagram.com/thelittlegardenpeople

Take time to appreciate your garden and the space around you which you have created This extensive method of self-soothing and getting lost in time whilst pottering around your self built space, however large or small is, for me, food for the soul It allows me time away from the busy hustle of life where I can be the master of my own creation and enjoy watching growth, change and colour which I am responsible for This gives me a sense of peace, serenity and achievement and the enthusiasm to involve other people around me to do the same So what are you waiting for? Start now and embrace everything nature has to offer!

Bring the outdoors in by coordinating your soft furnishings and home accessories with your houseplants As a print, leafy motifs bring in a fresh but fairly neutral appearance which can be further enhanced by leafy trinkets and knick-knacks Here are our picks...