It’s not unusual to have some late summer storms at this time of year, but the recent deluge of rain and high wind events seem to have really taken things to a new level. Tree branches and even entire trees have been uprooted, causing untold damage and grief to many homeowners and residents of the area. Remember to always employ a professional to clear away any fallen branches and damaged trees, particularly if the power lines have been impacted. Better to make the sensible choice and stay away altogether until the hazard has been rectified by a skilled team of professionals. A tree health check is a fairly straightforward process if you do happen to have any concerns about any storm-damaged trees and shrubs.
As a result of the recent weather, your garden has probably had its fair share of moisture and the late summer growth has surely seen everything given a good boost all-round. Hedges and other shrubs may need a good hard prune after the spring and summer growing period and lawns will still need regular mowing. With a few more weeks of summer still left, remember to top up any mulch, if needed, because, with the weather as unpredictable as it is, we’re just as likely to have temperatures back into the 30’s by next week.
In other areas of the garden, a good pressure wash on any mud or other storm-related issues affecting your hard surfaces, like paths and patios, can be a good idea, especially since the entertaining season is not completely over, with a good amount of daylight savings left and warm weekend weather still in abundance. There may also be a bit of a tidy up around the place due to the aforementioned wild weather, the chief culprit behind the leaves, branches and other garden detritus.
The end of the summer season can be a little bittersweet with plenty to love about the warm weather but less to love about the scorching hot days and storms, particularly from a garden point of view. And with the excitement and opportunity that autumn brings in the way of new plantings and more respectable outdoor temperatures, not to mention the beautiful colours as the leaves begin to change, there’s plenty to look forward to on the upcoming garden calendar.
February jobs to do now:
- Trim and tidy hedges
- Prune straggly growth from shrubs
- Tree health check after recent storms
- Prepare spots for autumn plantings
