As we wave goodbye to January and welcome February, our gardens quietly await the onset of spring. This period is critical for gardenmaintenance, ensuring your outdoor spaces are primed for the upcoming bloom. In this blog, our garden maintenance experts in Cheshire offer advice on preparing your garden for spring.
Tidying and Cleaning Up
Begin by tidying up your garden. Remove any fallen leaves, dead branches, and debris that have accumulated over winter. This not only enhances the appearance of your garden but also prevents the spread of pests and diseases. Remember, Acorn Landscape Services can assist in clearing your garden, providing a neat canvas for spring.
Pruning and Trimming
Late winter is the ideal time for pruning most deciduoustrees and shrubs. Pruning encourages healthy growth and flowering. However, it’s important to identify which plants benefit from winterpruning. We possess the knowledge to appropriately prune your plants, ensuring their optimalgrowth in spring.
Preparing Soil and Beds
The end of January and the start of February is the perfect time to prepare your soil. Digging over your beds, removingweeds, and addingcompostor well–rottedmanure will improve soil structure and fertility. We provide professional soil preparation services, ensuring your plants have the best possible start.
Planting and Planning
This period is also great for planting bare-root trees, shrubs, and some perennials. Planning your gardenlayout and plantchoices now can save time in the busy springmonths. Our team can provide expertadvice on plantselection and gardendesigntailored to your space and preferences.
Lawn Care
Lawns can look a little worse for wear after winter. Lightlyrake your lawn to removethatch and moss and consider aerating it to improvedrainage. Our team offers comprehensive lawn care, from aeration to fertilization, to ensure your lawn is lush and green for spring.
Protecting from Late Frosts
Keep an eye on the weatherforecasts for latefrosts. Protecttenderplants with fleece or move them to a shelteredlocation. Our team can advise on the best ways to protectyourplants from the unpredictable UK weather.
Conclusion
Garden maintenance at the end of January and beginning of February sets the foundation when preparing for a stunning springgarden. Acorn Landscape Services in Cheshire is here to help, offering bespoke garden maintenance advice and services. From pruning to lawncare, our team ensures your garden is beautifully prepared for the spring. Contact us today to get your gardenspring–ready!
As the winter season approaches, it’s essential for horse owners to prepare their paddocks for the challenges that lie ahead. While the winter may not be the most active growing season for your pasture, it’s crucial to engage in regular maintenance to ensure your horse’s paddock remains in the best possible condition. In this blog, we’ll explore some key steps for horse paddock maintenance in Cheshire during the winter months.
Encourage Drainage
During winter, the colder weather can lead to soil becoming hard and compacted. This presents a significant challenge for your paddock, as it hinders the absorption of rain, melting snow, and frost into the ground. To mitigate this issue, it’s vital to promote proper drainage within your paddock.
Here’s how you can do it:
Aerate the Soil: Use aeration equipment to break up compacted soil, allowing water to infiltrate more easily.
Install Drainage Systems: Consider installing drains or ditches in low-lying areas to direct excess water away from the paddock.
Avoid Overgrazing: Overgrazing can exacerbate soilcompaction, so monitor the number of horses in each paddock to prevent damage to the sward.
Maintaining good drainage is key to ensuring the longevity and health of your pasture.
Fencing and Basic Maintenance
Winter presents an excellent opportunity to assess the condition of your paddock’s fencing and engage in essential maintenance. Here are some tips to consider:
Inspect Fencing: Examine all fencingto identify and repair any damage or weak spots. Sturdy fencing is essential to ensure the safety of your horses.
Plan Layout: Evaluate the layout of your paddock to determine if it’s optimised for your horse’s needs. Adjust based on your experience from the previous year’s grazing rotation.
Clear Debris: Remove any debris, fallen branches, or other obstacles that could pose a hazard during winter. A clean paddock is a safe paddock.
Taking care of fencing and making necessary layout improvements during the winter will set the stage for a successful year ahead.
Manage Stocking Density
During the winter months, it’s crucial to control the stocking density of horses in your paddocks. Overstocking can lead to overgrazing, which can be detrimental to the health of your pasture. Here’s how you can manage this effectively:
Rotate Grazing Areas: Implement a rotational grazingsystem to prevent overgrazing in a specific area. Move horses to different paddocks periodically.
Monitor Sward Health: Keep an eye on the condition of your sward (the grass and plants in your pasture). Avoid letting horses graze in the same area too extensively during the winter when soil nutrients are limited.
Provide Supplementary Feeding: If necessary, supplement your horses‘ diet with hay or feed to reduce the pressure on your paddocks.
Proper stocking management is essential to maintain a healthy and sustainable pasture throughout the winter.
Fertiliser and Grass Seeding for Spring
While winter may not be a time for active growth, it’s an ideal season to prepare for the upcoming spring. Here’s what you can do to ensure a bountiful and healthy grazing experience in the spring:
Assess Fertiliser Needs: Evaluate your paddock’s nutrient levels and order appropriate fertilisers to enrich the soil. Proper fertilisation will encourage grass growth when the weather warms up.
Seed Grass for Regrowth: Consider seeding areas that may need grass re-establishment or repair. This proactive approach will ensure your pasture is lush and thriving when spring arrives.
Preparing in advance will help you enjoy a green and nutritious paddock for your horses as soon as the weather permits.
Struggling to Maintain Your Paddock in Cheshire?
Winter paddockmaintenance is essential for the well-being of your horses and the longevity of your pasture. If you are struggling to keep on top of your paddock maintenance in Cheshire, speak to Acorn Landscape Services today. We have the experience and equipment to keep your paddock in top condition throughout the seasons.
It was a moment of pride and joy for our team atAcorn Landscape Services and Steel and Scape at RHS Tatton Park 2023. Bringing to life the vision of renowned designers Conal Studio with this slim space garden design. The collaborative effort and sheer dedication of the team resulted in an award-winning garden. “Brickyard,” not only earned a prestigious gold medal but also claimed the titles of Best Terrace and Slim Space Garden. Let’s delve into the mesmerizing world of Brickyard and explore the elements that made it a triumph at the show.
Unveiling Brickyard
The Brickyard is inspired by the evocative charm of traditional brick-walled backyards and industrial fabric in great northern cities. A visionary creation by Conal Studio. The garden reimagined these historical spaces to adapt them for modern life. Furthermore, it also showcases how nature can thrive amidst urban architecture.
Meticulous Craftsmanship
A crucial aspect that brought Brickyard to life was the exceptional craftsmanship. Especially the bespoke steelworkfabricated by our sister company, Steel and Scape. Reclaimed red brick handpicked from the Reclaimed Brick Company evoked a sense of heritage and authenticity. Complementing the brickwork, the Corten steel, skilfully hand-crafted, added an industrial touch that perfectly blended with the garden’s theme. Steel and Scape fabricated the Corten Steel planters, log store, and rustic water feature.
Environmentally Conscious Elements
Sustainability and environmental consciousness were at the heart of Brickyard’s design. Throughout the build, we ensured that every element served a purpose beyond aesthetics. The contemporary seating, supplied by Ferrious ofAltrincham, provided an eco-friendly solution. Thus, enhancing the functionality of the space without compromising on style.
Granby Stone
An innovative material developed by Granby Workshop, Granby Stone, became part of Brickyard’s identity. Made from recycled waste brick sourced from demolished Victorian terraced houses. This unique stone played a vital role in creating the statement water tank and suspended planters. Andrea Ku of B4Biodiversity demonstrated how these features could promote wildlife, with companion planting, edible produce in boxes, and special habitats for bumblebees. Additionally, a fire pit added the perfect touch for gathering and cooking homegrown produce. Overall, fostering a sense of community and sustainability.
The Enchanting Landscape
Stepping into Brickyard is like entering a dream world beneath the dappled light of the tree canopy. The borders swayed and shimmered with eye-catching perennials and grasses, showcasing the abundance that “awkward” spaces could harbour. The fragrance of jasmine permeated the air, complementing the shade provided by the fruiting fig tree, creating a serene and sensory-rich experience for visitors.
Conclusion
Acorn Landscape Services and Steel and Scape, alongside Conal Studio, delivered a masterpiece at the RHS Tatton Park 2023. This award-winning garden stands as a shining example of how thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship, and ecological harmony can combine to create a truly exceptional space. Brickyard’s captivating allure will undoubtedly continue to inspire and leave a lasting impact for years to come. If you are looking for garden design in Cheshire, call our team today. We offer a complete service, design, build, and maintenance.
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