Many people do not know the reason why autumn is a good time to plant in the garden - and that does not mean that it is the only time, but there are a few factors that should be considered.
Firstly, the weather is cooling down - the intense heat has gone and plants are no longer under stress.
We have all seen how plants wilt during hot weather despite the fact that they have been watered and then as it cools down we see them perking up again.
Autumn planting allows the plant roots to settle in and become established without having to battle against the heat.Moisture is retained in the soil and so less watering is required.
As autumn comes to an end and winter begins, plants have already established good root systems which will see them through winter and then they will burst into new growth when spring arrives.
This is very important when it comes to planting trees and shrubs.
In addition to this, autumn is the time to tidy up the garden - rake up fallen leaves for the compost heap.
Lightly prune any plants that are looking a bit straggly and mulch the garden beds so that the soil is protected for when the very cold weather arrives.
I think most keen gardeners enjoy autumn with its cooler weather - our energy levels are increased and we tackle all those gardening chores with a happy heart.
