Autumn at Root One

Now that Autumn has arrived at Root One there are some spectacular displays of colour in the plant area, reminding us that this time of year should never be dull or lifeless, in fact, there’s suddenly a great long list of things to do in the garden!

It’s a Great Time for Planting Trees and Roses!

With the ground still warm, it’s the perfect time to be planting fruit and ornamental trees and your more robust shrubs like roses and hydrangeas. The warm soil and more frequent rainfall encourages a strong healthy root system before flourishing next spring.

Dig a planting hole that is no deeper than the roots, ideally at least three times the diameter of the root ball. Consider using Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi if soil conditions are poor to help it along.

For further information how how to care for and plant roses this season, click here.

For Autumn tree planting tips and ideas, click here.

Spring Flowering Bulbs

If you’re already looking ahead to Spring, we have an array of Spring flowering bulbs from alliums and daffodils to tulips and everything in-between, ready for planting for a much-welcomed burst of beautiful, cheerfulness after the winter. For more information on how plant bulbs, click here.

Subject to availability, we also have onion and garlic sets.

Instant Colour

Autumn bedding plants are the perfect way to keep your garden vibrant and colourful as the seasons change, bedding plants are not only perfect for garden beds but also containers, pots and hanging baskets. Our greenhouse is filled with hardy varieties like pansies, cyclamen, and heather that thrive in the cooler temperatures and bring a burst of rich, warm tones to your outdoor spaces.

For some instant colour in the garden take a look at our pre-made baskets and containers full of violas, pansies, cyclamen and hardy foliage.

If you’re looking for something on the larger side, acer trees have a lot to offer a garden of any size, they can be planted both in the ground or in containers. Not only do they grace the garden with vibrant colour and texture they are also slow growing and low maintenance.

For a comprehensive list of plants that will provide colour throughout the coming months, click here.

If you are looking for something in particular our friendly team will be pleased to assist you.

Keeping the Garden Tidy in Autumn

Rake Leaves

As Autumn season approaches leaves inevitably fall over the lawn. A thin pile of leaves will cause no problems and will easily decompose and even benefit the lawns health, however thick layers of leaves can starve the grass of light and encourage disease. Grass can die under these circumstances, so we recommended removing the leaves from the lawn on a regular basis. We stock a large variety of helpful tools. For further advice and tips on how to keep your lawn looking its best this season click here.

Produce to Harvest and Sow in Autumn

Autumn is a busy time for harvesting produce, whether you have a vegetable patch in the garden or an allotment, crops such as beetroots, tomatoes, squash, carrots and potatoes are ready to be enjoyed. It’s also a good idea to harvest tender crops before the first frosts take hold. September is the peak time for apple, raspberry and blackberry picking.

There is still plenty to sow and grow this time of year, either straight into the ground, in the green house or even on the kitchen windowsill. Leafy veg is a popular choice such as spinach and Spring cabbages. Salad crops can be sown now ready to harvest in a few months. Broad beans and peas planted now can establish over the winter and crop earlier next Spring.

Wildlife-Friendly Gardening

As the days get cooler, local wildlife, such as birds and hedgehogs, will begin preparing for the winter months ahead. We have everything you need to help the wildlife in your garden, from bird feeders, shelters, to high energy yielding food such as fat balls, suet, seeds and nuts.

Planting late-season plants that produce seeds, like sunflowers or sedums, can also provide a natural food source for birds.

To help hedgehogs in your garden, create small gaps in fences for them to move freely, leave areas of leaf piles or logs for shelter, and avoid using slug pellets or chemicals that could harm them. We have a variety of hedgehog shelters and food specially formulated just for them.

For further tips on wildlife gardening follow this link.

Cosy Nights

As the evenings grow cooler, there’s nothing quite like enjoying cosy nights in the garden with the warm glow of a fire pit and the soft ambiance of solar lights. We have everything you need to create the perfect setting for autumnal evenings outdoors from fire pits and kindling to solar lights to illuminate pathways, flower beds, or seating areas. In the Brightwell Building you will also find an array of comforting touches, such as cushions, throws and candles.