Autumn leaves and winter containers

As the clocks go back and the dark evenings draw in, there’s plenty to be done in the garden. Quite apart from what to do with the beds and borders now their summer splendour is well and truly behind them (cut down perennials for a tidy look, or leave them for winter interest?), unless you’re particularly fortunate, there are several weeks of leaf wrangling to be got through.

Here’s a post a I wrote in 2011 with some practical advice on harvesting leaves to use as a soil conditioner for your garden (an old blog post but still relevant, with the exception of the sniffy comment about electric leaf blowers, which in their cordless incarnation have now surpassed their petrol equivalent in terms of usefulness and eco credentials. Though a rake is still better!).

Just as each garden has its own character, so do their leaf piles. Not surprising really. This one's more oaky than the most recent leaf pic I posted (which was more Persian Ironwoody - exotic, eh?). They all crinkle just the same! Well, actually, that's not true, even the sound is different, but they're all just as much fun to shuffle through! 🍁🍂🎃#mystoryoflight #iphoneography #thisautumnlife #impressionsofautumn #tostandandstare #fb

A post shared by Andrew O'Brien (@andrewtimothyob) on Oct 15, 2017 at 2:51am PDT

There comes a point when you haven't quite finished doing what you need to do in the beds and borders, but have to stop for a while just to shepherd leaves about. Oi, leaves! I'm not quite ready for you yet! Sheesh… 🍂🍂🍁🍂#impressionsofautumn #thisautumnlife #whpseasons 🍁🎃#mystoryoflight #iphoneography #tostandandstare #fb

A post shared by Andrew O'Brien (@andrewtimothyob) on Oct 7, 2017 at 12:08am PDT

But it’s also prime time for refreshing container displays, removing tired summer bedding plants and replacing them with colourful evergreens and berries that will keep your pots looking fresh and cheerful throughout the darker winter months. There’s still time to get hold of suitable plants in the nurseries and garden centres right now, but best to be quick about it!

I do love that time of year when the nurseries get in their autumn/winter stock, and everything looks so fresh and sparkling with the promise of crisp, bright days ahead. So starting to swap out summer container plantings for cooler season arrangements is a real treat. More plants to buy at the weekend, I'm running out. ✨🍁🍂🌱✨🌲#iphoneography #tostandandstare #fb

A post shared by Andrew O'Brien (@andrewtimothyob) on Sep 29, 2017 at 10:31am PDT