Herald - Issue 411

26th August 2021 • The HERALD • Page 47 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Telephone Richard 023 8084 9637 | Grass Cutting | Edges Trimmed | Hedge Trimming | PRESSURE WASHING OF DECKS, PATIOS & DRIVES | FENCE & SHEDS PAINTED QuickSmart Garden Services Professional & Reliable 023 8084 0092 / 07557 792785 Fred Hurst 023 8084 2191 or 07761 467217 • Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance • Hedge Cutting • Fallen Trees Cleared • Mini Digger Hire with Operator • Property Clearance • Small Demolition • Tractor Flail Cutting FULLY INSURED v FREE QUOTATIONS | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | Quick Wins for Your Autumn Garden by Crown Gardens & Landscapes As we head into autumn, it’s been a hit and miss summer weather-wise. We all love spending time in our gardens when the weather is good, but the inclement conditions this summer may have played havoc with your outside space. Peeling paint, rusty gates and the end of owering season for a majority of plants can leave your garden looking a little sorry for itself by the time September rolls around. But with a bit of TLC you can spruce up your autumn garden so that you can still enjoy it and hopefully make the most of any fantastic autumn weather (we’re all hoping for an Indian summer…) All these ideas are low on budget and time, but will create a big impact on the time you have le outdoors this year. Candles Usually we’re banging the fairy light drum loud and proud. But candles are also fantastic for creating a romantic, so mood that’s perfect for warm autumn nights. It also helps you to make the most of the shorter nights. Investing in some great outdoor lanterns (IKEA sell plenty and they’re very reasonably priced) can give you a glorious glow at height if you choose to hang them and on the ground on your patio. Citronella torches also make great additions to your autumn garden to help keep mosquitos at bay while lighting up the space. e Range has a great Citronella Torch that won’t bust your budget. Painting Pots & Furniture Getting your hands on some outdoor paint to give things a burst of life will help to rejuvenate your autumn garden. Cuprinol has an incredibly easy to use outdoor paint (for wood, terracotta, brick and stone) and the huge range of vibrant colours will give any garden or balcony a pop of character to keep it going until winter. Painting Rusty Metal We all have something in our gardens that the rust has got the better o . Maybe it’s your gate, some decorative dividers or an old table and chairs. Metal can get tired and weather-beaten very quickly, making your garden look drab and dull. If you’ve never tried rust paint before then you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to use. Simply brush o any old rust and paint with your chosen rust paint. Your tired metal will have a whole new lease of life and is a quick x to keep your autumn garden looking smart. Add Some Autumn Containers Quick, easy and, you guessed it, contained – adding autumn containers to any patio or balcony will create a little are. You can even place them on table tops to add some height. Gardeners World points out that “There are lots of perennials that reach their peak display in autumn, including Dahlias, Sedums, Rudbeckias and Michaelmas daisies.” is means that if you choose carefully, you’ll get a great autumn garden display that keeps coming back year a er year with minimal e ort. We’re here if you need any tips or help to achieve a great-looking autumn garden – get in touch on: 07879 552227 or email: info@ crowngardensandlandscapes.co.uk Now that the future is looking brighter, Blackfield Gardening Club is delighted to announce that they plan to resume their meetings in the Autumn, all taking place on the second Tuesday in the month. e rst meeting will be on Tuesday 14th September when Christine Bennett will be presenting an illustrated talk on the ‘Lost Gardens of Heligan’. Subsequently on Tuesday 12th October Martin Perry will be presenting ‘Friends with Bene ts’ (Companion planting) and, on Tuesday 9th November Ron Taylor will be tracing the ora and fauna around Southampton Water from Broadlands to Spithead. All meetings start at 7.30pm at St Francis Church Hall, St Francis Road (off West Common) Langley, SO45 1XP. ey are really looking forward to seeing members and visitors again (visitors £2). Enquiries please call: 023 8024 3795. Lost Gardens of Heligan Haven in the Community The Healthy Haven Garden had a stall at the Hythe of Activity day on Saturday 7th August. They sold plants, vegetables, bunting, face masks, bird lavender bags and flower seeds. They also provided information about the garden and the garden visits and cream teas. eHytheandDibdenParishCouncil awarded their environment award to Christine Bennett, the Head gardener at the Healthy Haven. To book a Tuesday a ernoon cream tea contact Christine Bennett on: 07795 976807 or private message her on Facebook Healthy Haven team at Hythe of Activity Although open all year as a general plant nursery with a large selection of shrubs, trees, cottage plants and seasonal bedding, Gilberts Nursery in Sher eld English comes to life during the summer months with its collection of over 300 varieties of dahlias. New dahlia varieties, known as seedlings, are planted out in a eld providing a glorious display of colour which is open for viewing until the end of October or the rst frosts. ere are grass walkways and, although there is a slight incline, wheelchair access is possible. Entrance to the eld is free. Dahlias ower from mid- July, right through to the rst frost, which in some areas can be up until the beginning of November. ere are so many colour variations, some of the two toned colours look as if they have been created by an artist with great dedication, many di erent size and shape blooms, some as large as dinner plates right down to the small pom dahlias. Gilbert’s Nursery, which also has a tearoom serving freshly prepared food, delicious cakes and cream teas, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm, Sunday 10am until 4pm, and is closed Mondays, except Bank Holidays. The field is open the same time as the nursery however the eld will be closed 30 minutes before the nursery closes. GLORIOUS GILBERTS