From Sarah’s garden to yours
As the growing season fades away, leaves fall from the deciduous trees, perennials retreat back into the earth to await the return of warmer weather and annuals are completely removed as they have given all they had to give. In the vegetable patch there is a lot less going on with the slow growing cool season crops taking up less space than their demanding warm season cousins. For the plants it is a season to withdraw and hibernate in preparation for another active season of growing.
For many fair-weather gardeners this is also the time to stop. For some it is a literal stop. Tools are dropped and plants are left standing, with the intention of picking it all back up and sorting it all out once the weather is less inclement in the spring. However, for the keen gardener, in the face of an empty garden, now is the time to tackle maintenance jobs. Things that will keep the bones and structure of the garden a solid foundation that will last for many more seasons to come.
There are many non-vegetative items in the garden that will benefit from some attention after the long hot season where for the most part they have been left out in the elements, exposed to harsh southern hemisphere conditions. Now they are no longer hidden behind flourishing plants, burdened with the weight of prolific summer growth or taken for granted with constant daily use, take a closer look at your fences, support structures and outdoor furniture.
Fences can easily fade into the background without so much as a thought, however, if they are ignored, eventually they could fall down and become a costly problem.
- At least twice a year inspect your fence line for potential problems and make any repairs.
- Overhanging branches rubbing against the fence or large tree roots pushing the fence out of alignment can eventually damage the strongest of fences. Trim back wild plants or make adjustments to the fence to allow an old tree to grow freely.
- Clean the fence to remove dirt, grime and algae. Sometimes a good scrub can make a fence look like new.
- Wooden fences benefit from an annual application of preservative to protect the timber from rotting.
- Painted fences can be freshened up with a coat of paint or two, which can also prolong the life of the fence. A new colour can give the garden a whole new look.
Structures such as pergolas, arbours, arches and obelisks also need regular attention, if they are needed to hold up the weight of your favourite climbing rose, grapevine or rambling beauty. Take advantage of the dormant season for a thorough inspection so they don’t let you down when you need them the most.
- Give them a good wash to remove mildew and stains.
- Repair any damage that may have occurred during the growing season.
- Tighten any screws, fasteners and joints.
- Pay close attention to the point where the structure meets the ground where rot and rust has the most opportunity to set in and can cause the structure to fall.
- Remove spent plant material and prune back out of control growth to reduce the weight of the plant. Always check the plants specific pruning requirements so you don’t remove next season's blooms.
- If your structure is wooden, treat with a preservative and refresh the paint.
- For metal structures, check for signs of oxidation and rust. Use a wire brush or sandpaper to clean up the affected area and get it back to bare metal. Use a rust resistant primer and then paint with a topcoat to match the overall look.
- If you have serious structural problems, it would be worth contacting a professional for the best repairs or consider replacing the structure with something new.
After a season of outdoor living your outdoor furniture can become dull, tired and even weak. Taking the right steps now can ensure you won’t fall to the floor on the first sunny day in the spring. Once you are sure you’ll no longer be regularly using your outdoor furniture spend some time repaying it for the service it provided all summer.
- Give each item a good scrub with soapy water to remove dirt, bird droppings and stop the formation of moss and lichens.
- While having outdoor furniture in a cool shady spot in the summer is the ideal location to escape the heat of the season, in the cool conditions this situation can become damp and encourage rot and rust. Move the furniture to a location where it can remain drier and be more inviting to soak up the winter sun, or store away in a shed until you are ready to use it again.
- If the surfaces look tired, use paint, stain or oil to refresh your furniture and increase its longevity.
- Some furniture will benefit from being covered over the winter months, however for some materials this can reduce airflow and increase humidity and cause degradation so take a moment to have a quick search online for the best winter storage options for your type of furniture.
- Strong UV light can be harmful to fabrics when exposed to the sun for an extended period so check any soft furnishings for signs of weakness. Consider getting seating recovered, especially if there is a risk of a tear causing someone to fall through the chair. Replacing the soft furnishings can rejuvenate your outdoor room and give it a completely new look and feel to complement the plantings.
- Bring cushions and covers indoors, somewhere protected from rodent activity as cushion stuffing can be ideal to line nests.
More often than not our fences, structures and furniture are an investment we once made in the garden. With regular care and attention and timely maintenance and repairs they can go on to serve their purpose in the garden for many seasons to come, alleviating the need for sudden costly replacements. Peace of mind knowing everything is well cared for helps us to relax and find the peace and joy gardens are known for.
