ELEMENTAL HORTICULTURAL SERVICES LTD
Top 10 Winter Garden Prep Tips
Winter is around the corner, but there's plenty to do to keep your garden healthy and thriving. Here’s how to prep your garden for the colder months:
1. Clear Debris
Remove fallen leaves and debris to prevent pests and diseases from setting up camp.
2. Mulch and Protect
Add a layer of mulch to protect plant roots from frost. This insulates the soil and keeps moisture locked in.
3. Prune Selectively
Winter is a great time for pruning, especially deciduous trees and shrubs. Avoid pruning spring-blooming plants, as they’ve already set their buds.
4. Wrap Tender Plants
Protect delicate plants with fleece or burlap wraps, especially in areas prone to hard frosts.
5. Plant Winter-Friendly Veggies
Hardy vegetables like garlic, onions, and broad beans thrive when planted in winter, giving you a head start for spring.
6. Service Your Tools
Clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools. Winter is a perfect time for maintenance.
7. Plan Next Year’s Garden
Assess your garden’s successes and challenges from this year, and start planning your planting layout and designs for next year.
8. Feed the Birds
Set up bird feeders and water sources. Birds help with pest control and are beneficial for garden ecosystems.
9. Weed Control
Give the garden beds a final weed before winter. It reduces the workload in spring and prevents weeds from going to seed.
10. Lawn Care
Keep your lawn clear of fallen leaves and consider aerating the soil. A final light mow can keep it looking neat until spring.
These winter prep steps keep your garden healthy through the cold and set it up for a vibrant spring. If you’d like help with your winter garden prep, feel free to reach out!
29th October
27
Sep
Top 5 Garden Transformations to Boost Your Outdoor Space This Winter
As the cold sets in, your garden might not be your first thought, but winter is actually the perfect time to plan those big transformations! While the plants are dormant, you've got the opportunity to make some major improvements that will make your outdoor space shine once spring rolls around. Let’s dive into five ideas that can help you maximise your garden’s potential, even during the colder months.
1. Raised Beds: Whether you're a veggie grower or a flower enthusiast, raised beds are a brilliant addition. Winter is ideal for building them and prepping the soil so they’re ready to plant come spring. Plus, they’re easier on your back when it’s time to tend to your plants!
2. New Patio or Decking: Think winter isn't the time to consider a new patio or deck? Think again! Getting it sorted now means you'll be all set for summer BBQs, family gatherings, or just enjoying your morning coffee outdoors as soon as the sun returns. There's no need to wait until spring to enjoy your garden space.
3. Pergolas & Garden Structures: Pergolas aren’t just for summer! Adding one now gives your garden structure year-round, and you can string up some fairy lights or add winter-friendly plants for a cozy, magical look even when the temperatures drop. It’s a great way to section off parts of your garden too, creating a more defined space.
4. Garden Lighting: Winter evenings are long and dark, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to be! Outdoor lighting can really transform the space, whether it’s highlighting your favourite tree or adding a warm glow to your patio. Installing lighting now not only makes your garden usable through winter but also helps with safety and security.
5. Tree & Shrub Planting: Winter is the perfect time for planting bare-root trees and shrubs. These plants thrive when they get the chance to establish strong roots before spring’s growth season begins. Whether you're adding some fruit trees or decorative shrubs, they’ll be ready to explode into life when the weather warms up.
Winter doesn’t have to be the end of your gardening season – it’s just the beginning! By making these changes now, you’ll have a garden that’s prepped and ready to flourish when spring arrives. If you need help with any of these ideas, or if you’re ready to make your garden dreams a reality, get in touch with us today!
10
Sep
Creating a Woodland Play Area and Chill Spot for a Lovely Family
I’ve just finished a fantastic project for a client, and I’m so pleased with how it all came together. The brief? Pretty simple—create a fun, woodland-style play area for their little girl and a chilled-out space for the grown-ups where they can put their swing seat and unwind.
The Project: Play for the Kids, Relaxation for the Adults
Here’s what we did to make it happen:
Woodland-Style Play Area: The play space had to be safe but also fun and a bit magical for the little one. We went with natural wood bark for the play zone, which adds a nice, soft surface for her to run around on, and it blends beautifully with the rest of the garden. We also put in some timber edging to keep the wood bark separate from the lawn, making it easy to maintain and keeping everything looking neat.
Fresh Turf: After clearing the area and levelling the ground, we laid some fresh turf to give the garden that lush, green look. The new lawn really tied the whole space together, giving the family plenty of room for play and relaxing.
Timber Edging: A key part of the design was making sure the play area and lawn felt like two separate spaces but still looked natural. Timber edging was the perfect solution—it adds a rustic, woodland vibe while keeping everything in its place.
Chill Spot for the Adults: For the adults’ relaxation area, we kept it simple. We set aside a perfect spot for their swing seat, making sure it’s framed by the garden greenery. Now they’ve got a lovely little retreat to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.
What the Family Had to Say
It’s always the best part of the job when clients are happy with the work. Here’s what they said about their new garden space:
"Jordan has recently completed some work for us in our garden and done an absolutely amazing job. He listened to what we wanted, and also made further suggestions based on his knowledge and experience, and we are so pleased with the result. Our 2-year-old loves her new play space, and the garden looks amazing. Jordan is extremely hard-working and very reasonably priced. Fantastic communication from start to finish. We highly recommend and will be using his services again in the future."
I’ve got to say, it’s jobs like this that remind me why I love what I do. There’s something special about taking a blank canvas and turning it into a space where families can play, relax, and make memories. Whether it’s a little woodland play area or a quiet spot to hang out, I’m always happy to help bring someone’s garden vision to life.
If you’re thinking of freshening up your garden, or you’ve got a project in mind, give me a shout—I’d love to help you create a space that works for you and your family.
23 Aug
Perfect Plant Pruning
As we transition into autumn, there’s plenty to do in the garden to keep things looking their best. One of the most important tasks? Pruning! Giving your plants a good trim at the right time not only keeps them healthy but also ensures they’re in top shape for the seasons ahead.
Lets look at the most common plants that are in need of a good pruning right now. Let’s dive into why it’s important to tackle these jobs and how you can do it effectively.
Wisteria
Wisteria is a stunning climber, known for its beautiful cascading flowers in spring. However, it can quickly get out of hand if left unchecked. Pruning wisteria in late summer or early autumn is key to controlling its growth and ensuring a fabulous display next year.
Trim back the long wispy shoots to about 5-6 leaves from the main stem. This helps to promote flowering spurs for the next season.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses can bring a touch of romance to any garden, but to keep them blooming beautifully, a timely prune is essential. Early autumn is the perfect time to give them a trim.
Cut back any dead or diseased wood first, then reduce the side shoots by about a third. This will encourage healthy growth and a bounty of blooms next year.
Lavender
Lavender is a garden favorite for its fragrance and versatility, but it can get woody and leggy if not pruned regularly. Pruning in late summer or early autumn helps to keep the plant compact and encourages fresh growth.
Trim back the spent flower stalks and any straggly growth, but be careful not to cut into the old wood as lavender doesn’t respond well to hard pruning.
Why Pruning Now Matters
Pruning these plants now, as we head into autumn, is crucial for their health and vitality. It helps to prevent diseases, encourages new growth, and ensures that your plants will look their best come spring.
Not only does pruning improve the appearance of your garden, but it also helps to prepare your plants for the colder months ahead, ensuring they have the strength to thrive next year.
Need a Hand?
If you’re unsure about how to prune your plants or just don’t have the time, why not let us help? At Elemental Horticultural Services, we’re here to make sure your garden is always at its best. Get in touch today, and let’s get your garden ready for the new season.
19
Aug
Welcome to Elemental Horticultural Services
Hello and welcome to the very first blog post from Elemental Horticultural Services (or EHS for short)! We’re thrilled to have you here and even more excited to introduce ourselves to you.
So, who are we?
We’re a small, independent horticultural service with a big passion for all things green and growing. Whether you’re a homeowner dreaming of a lush backyard or a business looking to spruce up your outdoor space, we’ve got you covered. From designing and planting to maintaining and transforming, we handle every aspect of landscaping with care, creativity, and a whole lot of love for the earth.
Why the name "Elemental"?
Great question! We chose the name "Elemental" because we believe in getting back to the basics—the elements that make up our natural world. We work with the earth, water, and plants to create spaces that feel organic and harmonious. Our approach is rooted in sustainability, and we’re all about creating environments that not only look beautiful but thrive in the long term.
What can you expect from this blog?
We’re going to keep things light, informative, and hopefully a little inspiring. We’ll share tips and tricks for your garden, insights into our projects, and maybe even some behind-the-scenes stories from our day-to-day work. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, we hope you’ll find something here that sparks your interest.
Let’s grow together!
At EHS, we believe in the power of community—after all, gardens and landscapes are all about bringing people together. So, we’d love to hear from you! If you have questions, ideas, or just want to chat about your latest plant obsession, drop us a line. And if you’re thinking about a specific project, whether it’s big or small, we’re here to help make it happen.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We’re excited to share our passion for horticulture with you and can’t wait to see where this grows!
Cheers,
The Elemental Horticultural Services Team
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