Recycling your old rugs now could make your gardens burst into life next spring, according to the National Trust
September is a good time to prepare your garden for the following spring(Image: Rossella De Berti via Getty Images)
While it might be considered a staple of traditional DIY, gardening enthusiasts aren’t typically encouraged to grab a piece of carpet before heading out to tend to their plants. However, that’s precisely what the National Trust has advised they do in preparation for the autumn, to ensure they have the most vibrant flower beds come next spring.
The conservation charity’s latest guidance suggests that leaving soil exposed over the winter will not bode well for its health by the time spring arrives. To boost its health, experts suggest placing a thick layer of material over it this month.
“Leaving beds empty with exposed soil over winter isn’t good for soil health,” the trust said on its website. “Mulch empty vegetable and flower beds to protect them.”
Mulch refers to a thick, loose layer of material placed on top of bare soil in flower beds or containers. Adding this layer aids in suppressing weeds, increasing water retention, and enhancing the quality of the soil. It can also tidy up the appearance of beds and shield roots from winter frost.
Covering soil with a piece of carpet will protect it over the winter months(Image: Fokusiert via Getty Images)
Common materials used for mulching include garden compost, wood chippings, manure and leaf mould, reports the Express. The trust advised applying your chosen mulch in a layer 2-3 inches thick, ensuring to leave space around the woody stems of plants.
However, if the area in question is overrun with weeds, the advice is not to bother weeding first, but to grab a piece of woollen carpet or, as a second-best option, some cardboard.
The trust website added: “Alternatively, if they’re full of weeds, you could cover them with a layer of cardboard or woollen carpet and leave the weeds to break down, ready for planting in spring. If possible, avoid digging the soil as this disturbs the structure and soil organisms.”
The trust’s experts pinpointed autumn as an ideal time to make changes to the garden so that owners can relish it even more the following year. They continued: “It’s time to plant spring bulbs and many other plants, mulch your borders and prepare new ground for growing.
“Spring bulbs can be planted in pots or in your flower borders throughout autumn. Daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses are best planted before the end of September when the soil is still warm. October and November are good times to plant your tulips.
“Bulbs of tulips, crocuses and daffodils can be planted in pots or your flower borders. If you have a large area of grass try planting crocus bulbs in drifts for a vibrant colour show in early spring.
“If you’re planting in pots, use a peat-free compost and really pack your bulbs in for a great display. You can even layer them up for a succession of colour.”
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