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It's important to take measures now to give your garden the best chance when it's chilly
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As August draws to a close, and with the abysmal weather of the past two months having prepared us for autumn anyway, it's fair to say that summer is nearly over. The light is fading at just past 8pm these days and with temperatures having dropped to a daytime average of around 14C, hoodies and sweatshirts are making a swift return to our wardrobes.
In preparation for the chillier months, experts at Black & Decker have been consulted over our gardens. In winter months, when it's not as pleasant an atmosphere to tend to the backyard, gardens can sometimes get neglected.
And that's fine. But if you are going to leave it be for the winter, there are things that you can do to make sure your garden is in the best shape possible to survive the harsh conditions of the next few months.
According to Black & Decker brand manager Tim Winstanley, the winter months are crucial to keeping grass healthy. As a result, gardeners should mow theirs now while they still can in mild weather.
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Tim explained: “When it comes to giving your garden the last trim before the harsh winter months, I would suggest selecting the highest blade setting on your lawnmower, this leaves grass longer and fuller and protects from diseases that short grass would be exposed to.
"To really tidy up the garden trim your borders with a grass strimmer and remove any dying leaves, weeds, and old mulch.”
Another DIY job Tim said gardeners should get done now is to cut back the hedges, as it's the perfect time to get them ready for the long winter. Their growth will be gradually slowing down as the temperature drops so cutting them now will mean less maintenance during the thick of autumn and winter when it’s hardest to prune and care for shrubs.
He added: “Trimming is one of the best ways you can boost a plant’s defence against pests and diseases and doing this ahead of autumn will promote green growth. Before making the cut I would recommend checking your hedge trimmer is in good working condition and if you’re using a cordless trimmer make sure it's fully charged.
"When trimming start from the bottom of the hedge and work your way up, this will allow you to catch falling clippings and maintain an even cut.”
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