Down to Earth: Why planning makes gardens perfect

“Autumn is the ideal time to evaluate and devise a plan to revitalise your garden. . .” Now’s the time to make garden plans, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker

As a nation, we are well-known for our fascination with the weather, and this year has provided ample fodder for discussion. At first the winter brought unusually cold temperatures, with many of us experiencing dramatic weather shifts; in one day alone we experienced sun, snow, sleet, and rain. Then the rain came, and it essentially didn’t stop until July, where we shifted from spring temperatures to heatwaves within 24 hours. In the space of about a week, friends and family went from talking about the temptation to put the heating on to dragging fans out of storage.

It is safe to say that this unpredictable year has been tough on our gardens, which have faced significant challenges. Many gardens can appear worn out by September, especially likely this year, so this makes autumn an ideal time to evaluate your outdoor space and devise a plan to revitalise your garden before spring's arrival, ensuring a vibrant start to the new growing season (weather permitting).

As a design practice, we are fortunate to stay busy throughout the year. However, some months are noticeably busier than others, with September being one of our peak times. It is really great that the tide is turning, and more and more people are planning for the year ahead instead of waiting until May and then demanding an instant garden - only to discover that reputable landscapers are already booked solid through the end of summer.

People often stop to talk to me about their gardens and frequently explain that they don’t know where to start and feel intimidated by the task. This feeling is completely understandable; I feel this way about lots of things. But if there is something that I can’t tackle myself I call in an expert.

Most people don’t think twice about calling in an electrician or a plumber, but for some reason, when it comes to our gardens, people hesitate in contacting a professional. The important thing to remember is that there are a number of talented garden designers nearby who will be able to help you in putting plans in place. I can’t speak for all my colleagues, of course, but I am happy to talk about any project. Plus most garden designers are more affordable than you would think.

So, as autumn arrives, look at your garden, make plans, dream, get excited - and then this time next year your garden will be full of life.
See robertbarkerdesign.com for more.