Gardens can be built at any time of year – although progress can be quicker when the weather is good. Rain and mud are landscaper’s worst enemies as they create extra mess, slow work down, can damage the soil structure and make it hard to lay certain materials.
If you have school aged children, or want to enjoy the garden yourself, you may not want your garden dug up during the summer holidays.
Planting can be done at any time of year, although it is not a good idea when the ground is frozen or during very long dry periods. If we plant during a dry spring or in the height of summer you will need to spend a lot more time watering plants. New trees need a good soak once a week for their first year, unless there is a significant amount of rain, and perennials need watering twice a week (sometimes everyday for their first week if it is extremely hot) for the first 4-6 weeks.
Planting can be better in the autumn, winter and early spring. This is during the bare root season (a cheaper way of buying trees and hedging) and allows the plants to rest after planting and be fully settled in by the time they start growing in the spring. However, some plants can rot if planted during very wet winters. We like to plant, if possible, when there is at least some top growth on the potted plants. As long as you avoid extreme weather and put healthy plants into well prepared soil, and then water regularly then they should be fine.
