We're now in the middle of autumn and already looking forward to warm summer days in the garden. Barbecuing, sunbathing, gardening and long, leisurely meals in the evening sun are things many people are already dreaming about again. All the more reason to get your garden ready for autumn as soon as possible. That way you'll be enjoying relaxing days in your back garden again in no time.
Curious how best to get your garden ready for autumn? Below you'll find 5 handy tips to prepare your garden for the cold months and be ready for the summer months already.
Tip 1: Make a garden plan for next year
Weren't you entirely happy with your garden last summer? Or is it due a bit of a refresh? Then autumn gives you all the time you need to come up with new ideas and put them on paper in a garden plan. Think, for example, about whether you'd prefer a sleek and modern garden, a garden with lots of wild plants, flowers and shrubs, or perhaps a combination of the two.
The important thing is to put it on paper and make a wish list together with your family or housemates. Do you want play equipment, a (swimming) pond, an outdoor kitchen or a vegetable patch, for example? Based on your wish list, you can make a nice sketch yourself or have professionals do it.
Tip 2: Plant flower bulbs
You might think: what's the point? Yet it's important to plant the bulbs that flower in spring in the autumn. Examples are daffodils, tulips and crocuses. It's important to dig them in properly, so they make better contact with the soil and it's easier for the bulbs to grow their roots.
It's also important to dig up frost-sensitive flowers and plants. Summer plants are often very sensitive to frost and there's a good chance they won't survive the winter. So dig them up and put them in pots in a dark, frost-free place.
Tip 3: Choose a beautiful outdoor kitchen and look after it well
A real summer must-have is, of course, an outdoor kitchen with every convenience. So it's a good idea to start looking for the perfect outdoor kitchen for your garden in the autumn.
At Buitenkeukendeal we're happy to help you make the right choice when it comes to a new outdoor kitchen. We have a wide range and can even make a made-to-measure outdoor kitchen for you. Go for an outdoor kitchen with a kamado, a Green Egg or an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ, for example.
If you already have an outdoor kitchen, it's also a good idea to maintain it properly. Cover it well and give it a good clean. Do you have an outdoor kitchen with a sink, for example? Then it may be wise to cover the drain or clean it regularly. Also check whether your outdoor kitchen uses electricity, for example if you have an outdoor kitchen with a fridge.
An outdoor kitchen is ideal in autumn.
Tip 4: Turn off your outdoor water supply at the end of autumn
Most plants don't need extra water in autumn, as it rains often enough in this season. So it's a good idea to turn off the outdoor water pipes as a precaution. An outdoor tap freezes quickly, so you should do this before the first night frost. This prevents leaks and possibly expensive replacement of your pipes.
If you have an outdoor kitchen with a sink and tap in your garden, this is an important tip too. If you don't turn off the water supply and your tap freezes, you'll have to replace your tap in the summer and won't be able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen straight away.
Tip 5: Bring your summer things inside
Most summer things for your garden aren't well prepared for autumnal weather with cold and wet conditions. So it's important to put as many things as possible inside in a dry place.
In some cases this isn't possible, because there's no room to put your things indoors or because things aren't easy to move. In that case, make sure you cover these summer things well with a water-repellent cover. Not all outdoor kitchens have wheels, for example, and some are made to measure. There's often the option of ordering a perfectly fitting cover made to measure for your outdoor kitchen.
That way your outdoor kitchen stays perfectly intact during autumn and winter. And before you know it, you'll be enjoying long meals at your outdoor kitchen again on warm summer evenings in your garden.