Why Autumn and Winter Are Ideal for Starting Your Garden Transformation
As the vibrant summer days fade into darkness and the crisp autumn air starts to creep in, it's a common mistake for many homeowners to put their dream garden projects on hold. However, at Walker Landscape & Design, we’re firm believers that autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to get started on your garden transformation journey - and if you’re a homeowner or garden enthusiast based in and around Cheshire, looking to craft a bespoke outdoor living space, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog, we will explore:
Image from The Neston Project
Seasonal Advantages for Planting and Preparation
Starting your garden transformation now allows you to set the stage for a flourishing garden that bursts into life as soon as we hit spring - just imagine stepping into your new, colourful dream garden that has been ready and waiting for you since you completed your project in less desirable weather.
During the cooler months, you’re at a great advantage for soil preparation and planting the flora you’d like to see bloom come the spring and summer. With the right approach, autumn is the perfect time to prepare your flower beds, you can amend your soil with organic matter ensuring that it’s nutrient rich and allow time for the soil to rest. Cooler temperatures put less stress on new plants, giving them the opportunity to establish strong roots before they bloom in spring, setting the stage for a flourishing garden that bursts into life as soon as warmer temperatures start to arrive again.
Autumn is also known for being bulb planting season, as they can’t be planted at any other time of year if you want your plants to flourish in the spring. Through the autumn and winter months you can also plant root balls and bare roots, like trees, hedging and shrubs so that they can take advantage of the moisture in the soil, and thrive in their early growing stages due to milder weather conditions. Their roots have the time to grow and adapt to their new environment resulting in a more robust garden through the following years. You can also start planting some fruits and vegetables, check out this blog that will tell you when to plant and harvest different types of vegetables throughout the year.
Bare root plants are grown in open ground, and then during the dormant season they’re dug up and transported, arriving “bare root” with no soil around them. Root ball plants are dug up with a protective “root ball” of soil around them during transportation. They require minimal maintenance as the weather is milder and wetter. These processes are only possible in cooler temperatures, also making the plants much more affordable than pot grown plants. In the summer, plants are also more expensive to source as they require much more maintenance in the hotter, dryer weather.
You can plant most types of plants at any time of the year, but the cost of the plant and maintenance it requires changes drastically with the weather. Read this guide with 10 Tips for Autumn Planting, from Gardener’s World.
Lead Times for Designs and Bespoke Products
At Walker Landscape & Design, our team of specialists take pride in every project, making sure we craft a stunning space that you’ll love for years to come. Our expertise encompasses a variety of aspects that come together to create your dream outdoor living area.
When it comes to choosing bespoke outdoor features, timing is everything. Whether you imagine a grand pergola, like the Algarve from Renson, ultra luxury outdoor furniture, like the Azur Couch from Coco Wolf or perhaps a charming water feature like this one from Solus, these projects require careful planning, with enough lead time to ensure every detail has been covered and it all comes together at the right time.
By getting the ball rolling with your garden transformation this autumn/winter, you can be rest assured that all of your chosen features will be ready for you and your loved ones to enjoy as soon as the sun comes back out in the spring - whether that’s a bespoke Fire Magic Outdoor Kitchen, or perhaps your future outdoor space will transform into a wellness retreat with our Thermalux Saunas and Brass Monkey Ice Baths.
The extra benefit of starting your project now means that you can avoid the rush of busier seasons in the new year, minimising the risk of delays and disappointment.
Image from The Hoole Village Project
Bespoke Design Service for a Unique Garden
Creating the perfect garden isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a space that resonates with how you envision your outdoor living space, with the right details that suit your lifestyle and preferences; so if you’re the kind of person that loves to entertain their close friends and family, we’d recommend Investing in an Outdoor Kitchen and a Firetable for extra cosiness.
A bespoke design process takes time, to allow for as much customisation as necessary and to leave room to make any adjustments as your ideas start coming to fruition. By starting your project sooner rather than later, you’re given the gift of time - time to explore different ideas, think about important decisions and create a garden that is truly special.
Our design team will work closely with you to understand what style preferences you may have and any practical requirements. We’ll be here to guide you through the entire process, from conceptualisation to checking over the final details after installation, ensuring it is a perfect reflection of your vision.
How Do You Start Creating Your Dream Garden?
If you’re wondering where to start with your garden design project, the first step is to contact us to book your showroom visit, and start some research so you can figure out what you’d want included in your ideal outdoor living space. We love and recommend a pergola as a great starting point - they allow for easy use of your garden year-round providing you with shelter in the autumn and winter months - check out our blog for 3 Ways a Pergola Will Transform Your Outside Space.
Then you’ll visit our showroom for a consultation, and you can browse the ranges we have on offer to craft your dream outdoor living space - you can imagine gathering your nearest and dearest to embark on a luxury culinary adventure in your new EO Outdoor Kitchen and spending a quiet Sunday afternoon relaxing on your Akula Living Switch Rope Sunlounger.
You will collaborate with our design team and explore different ideas until you find what you’re happy with - we’ll be able to offer our expert knowledge and advice based on previous projects and experience to ensure that everything is suitable for your needs. In the meantime you can read advice and ideas on our blog, like How to Quickly Create an Ultimate Outdoor Living Space.
Once you’ve decided on the final design, it’s time to get excited! We’ll get the ball rolling and start ordering, crafting and managing your project until all the final details are complete at installation.
Once we have every aspect of your garden, we’ll come to your property for the final installation. And as soon as your dream garden is complete, you can relax and enjoy the new and exciting beautiful extension of your home.
Sustainable and Cost-Effective Planning
Planning your garden transformation during the colder months can also prove to be more sustainable. With the potential to make savings on materials and reduced needs for watering, you can build a stunning outdoor living space that won’t break the bank and is environmentally friendly.
Investing in your garden now means you’ll be ready to enjoy it when it flourishes, as the temperatures start to rise and the sun stays out for longer. By choosing native plants and sustainable materials, you can create a garden that not only looks beautiful but also supports and attracts local wildlife and conserves resources.
Off-season planning allows you to make informed decisions about your budget. With a clear idea of what you want, you can prioritise where you spend your money on the things that matter most to you and get the best results for what you can invest.
And once your dream garden has been installed, there’s no reason you can’t continue to enjoy the rewards of your hard work throughout the autumn and winter months too; check out our blog 5 Tips for Looking After Your Garden in the Winter Weather.
Image from The Bowdon Project
Get Ahead Before Peak Season
Autumn and Winter are typically much quieter times for many garden and landscaping professionals, making it easier to secure consultations for designs and get ahead of the spring rush. This means now is your perfect opportunity to work closely with our team at Walker Landscape & Design, to tailor a plan that reflects your vision.
With fewer projects on the horizon, we can dedicate more time to understanding what your unique needs and preferences are, ensuring a completely bespoke experience that leaves you with a truly custom outdoor space.
Starting our project now also means there could be the extra perk of off-season promotions and potential discounts available on certain products and services, helping you make more significant savings and your dream garden even more attainable.
And if you have kids or pets, you don’t notice that garden being out of action as much. This makes it a great time to get work done, with the garden being used less in the winter and then being ready to go in time for the spring, when you can’t keep them indoors!
Book your showroom appointment to speak to the team.
Start Designing Your Dream Garden Today
At Walker Landscape & Design, we’re passionate about creating outdoor living spaces that fulfil your dreams, and we don’t want the colder temperatures to deter you from taking advantage of the opportunity to create a bespoke garden ready for you to enjoy by the spring and summer next year.
Embrace the opportunity and book your showroom visit, take the first step towards a bespoke outdoor living experience that you can start creating unforgettable memories in as early as spring 2025.
