We had a fabulous summer this year and while for most of us those warm days are now a distant memory, it’s great to carry out some tasks right now that will make next year’s growing season even more colourful.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been busy working on the first stages of our Garden Restoration project at Uppark. The wonderfully warm summer weather has left us with a dust bowl of baked soil for a border. However, as summer moves into autumn and the rain becomes more frequent, the greater moisture content makes it easier to incorporate organic matter into the prepared ground.

Last week we hired a rotavator – an oversized food blender on wheels that breaks up larger clods of soil and mixes with the organic matter. I would urge anyone who is doing this sort of work to consider using either a rotavator or a cultivator, partly because they’re great fun to use but also because they create a beautiful finish that’s a joy to plant in. Every process right through, from ground preparation to planting and nurturing, is something that should be enjoyed.

Within a very short period of time, the tines of the rotavator help to turn the floury soil and the buttery organic matter into a doughy mix, perfect for planting. We then started planting a pre-selected mix of herbaceous plants, along with a layer of bulbs to provide additional spring interest – we have a great selection of daffodils and ornamental onions to choose from.

Come and see the planting at Uppark House and Garden as it develops and enjoy what the new autumn season has to offer. There is a sugar maple right in the middle of the main lawn that’s colouring up beautifully, and the tulip tree leaves are turning a lovely buttery yellow. Our fabulous beech woodland looks stunning – lighting up the landscape with fiery tones just as the cold nights start to bite.

  • Visit Andy Lewis’s blog at upparkgarden.wordpress.com
  • Uppark House and Garden, South Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR, Tel: 01730 825857, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark
  • House, garden, shop and restaurant open every day except Fri and Sat from Mar 17 to Dec 22 (excluding Nov 4 to 16)