A gardener's guide
A Knowle garden, season by season
Most gardens around here do not need constant work — they need the right work at the right time. This is how we think about the year across Knowle, Dorridge and Solihull, whether you are doing it yourself or having us take it off your hands.
Spring
March – May
The lawn wakes up and wants its first cuts — high to start with, then gradually lower as the grass thickens. Borders are weeded and edged before growth takes off, shrubs that flower later in the year are pruned, and any fencing that came loose over the winter is best put right now, while you can still get to the posts. From March onwards, hedge work needs a thought for nesting birds.
Summer
June – August
Keeping on top of things rather than starting them. Mowing every week or fortnight, edges cut back so the lawn keeps its shape, weeds pulled before they seed, and conifer and formal hedges cut once the main flush of growth has hardened. Beech and hornbeam are usually tidied towards the end of August. Little and often beats one big rescue in September.
Autumn
September – November
Tidying and preparing. Final cuts with the blades raised, leaves cleared off the lawn before they mat and yellow the grass, perennials cut back, and overgrown areas taken down while you can see what you are doing. It is also the sensible moment to look at fence posts and gates before the winter gales find the weak ones.
Winter
December – February
The quiet season, but not a dead one. Dormant shrubs and small trees can be pruned for shape, brambles and overgrowth cleared while the garden is bare, fencing replaced, and patios, paths and gutters cleaned down. A garden cleared in January is a very much easier garden in April.
What shapes the work
Every garden is a little different.
How much a garden needs, and when, comes down to a handful of things. It's exactly what Keith works through with you at the free quote.
- 01How big the garden is, and how much of it is lawn, hedge and border.
- 02Whether it needs bringing back first, or just keeping ticking over.
- 03What the hedges are — type and height decide both timing and how often.
- 04Whether there is property work alongside the garden: fencing, gates, patios, gutters.
- 05Whether you would like a set fortnightly or monthly visit, or a call when it needs doing.
The simplest way to find out what your garden needs is to have Keith come and look. The quotation is free, the advice is straight, and you will come away knowing what wants doing and when — whether you take it on yourself or leave it to us.
Rather leave it to Keith?
Get a free, no-obligation quote and have the whole gardening year taken care of — one-off, weekly or monthly.