Hello Autumn!
I love everything about this time of year, the colours and the crisp mornings, the log fires in the evenings and the harvesting of the fruit and late summer sunflowers. It is the perfect time to both reflect on the year so far and to start making plans for the coming year and with that in mind, in this newsletter I will be sharing some new products, looking back over my gardening year so far and my plans for next year garden as well as sharing some seasonal gardening tips and keeping you updated on what is happening at Alby Crafts and Gardens.
New Products Available From 1st October
I am really excited to be introducing a limited range of resin keepsakes to my existing collection of flower preservation products. Along side this, there are also some new styles of frames and jewellery pieces that will be available over the next few months. It has taken a long time to build the collection of flower preservation options that will be available by the end of the year and I am really pleased to be able to work with other suppliers to offer such a diverse, sustainable and high quality range of hand crafted keepsakes.
Wedding Season 2024/2025
As we head into the final quarter of the year our wedding season starts to gradually slow down, reflecting the natural slowing and lull that the Autumn and Winter months provide but it certainly doesn't stop! With the changing seasons comes the changing colour palette in nature which is also reflected in our Autumnal weddings. Muted Summer pastel blooms are replaced with the vibrant reds, yellows, greens and oranges of Autumn, which in turn will later be replaced with the greens, whites and reds of the Winter/Christmas season.
Autumn is without a doubt my favourite season. If you are currently planning your wedding, recently got married or are looking for an unusual wedding gift, click on the link below to see what flower preservation options we have available and to secure your booking.
Upcoming Events at Alby Crafts & Gardens
Lots of exciting seasonal events are coming up beginning with the wonderful Alby Pumpkin Patch which returns on Sat 12th & Sun 13th October 10am - 4.30pm. They are then open 10am - 4.30pm weekends of 19th/20th & 26th/27th and half term days through to 31st.
Thousands of pumpkins & squashes to choose from, local food and drink vendors also offering tasty treats on site & dogs on leads welcome. Due to unreliable WiFi they are a CASH ONLY site. Click the link below to visit their Facebook page for further information.
After a hiatus of several years, Alby Crafts & Gardens Christmas Market is excited to be returning for 2024. Join us on Sunday 10th November where you can browse & shop with a carefully curated selection of quality local producers. Get into the festive spirit and begin your Christmas shopping with some truly unique gift ideas from the stalls, studios & shops at Alby. Seasonal treats & refreshments will be available from the on site Artisan Cafe. Click the link below to visit the event Facebook page for further information.
This year I'm offering two different styles of Christmas wreath making workshop. Firstly the traditional luxury wreath workshop (2 dates available) which will offer full tuition, light refreshments, all equipment and a range of seasonal foliage, ribbons and additions enabling you to design, create and take home a luxury wreath in your chosen colour palette. The other workshop is for a wreath with a difference for all you horse lovers. The seasonal horses head wreath is made with seasonal foliage, additions & ribbons. Full tuition, light refreshments, all equipment and a range of seasonal foliage, ribbons and additions are included. Click the link below for further details or to book.
My Gardening Year
This time last year I decided to try my hand at growing some of my own flowers for drying and using in my shop & for bouquets and wreaths. I began last autumn by creating & prepping my cut flower bed, in spring this year I planted some seeds; straw flowers, echinops, sun flowers & delphinium. All started off in my pop up greenhouse & were planted out into the bed late spring/early summer. Unfortunately a lot of the flowers didn't make it to fruition despite my dedication BUT I was very lucky to get an absolute abundance of the straw flowers in a multitude of colours that absolutely thrived in the patch, some growing to well over 5ft tall and providing not only a large supply of flowers but also a beautiful rainbow coloured patch that I got to enjoy everyday throughout the summer. It was with mixed feelings that I eventually forced myself to cut the flowers. They proved a popular choice this year & all the bouquets & wreaths that I made from them sold from the shop within a fortnight which was lovely.
It's been a real learning experience this year and I've enjoyed every minute spent in my garden. I am looking forward to growing many more straw flowers next year , maybe some lavender too. We are also considering converting our lawn to a wild flower meadow but that is definately a job for spring!
What should I be doing in my garden in Autumn?
Autumn is a beautiful time of year with vibrant leaves and crisp, cool air. It's also a crucial season for gardeners, as it's the perfect time to prepare your garden for the upcoming winter.
Here are some essential tips for autumn gardening:
Tidy Up Your Garden
Remove fallen leaves: Rake up fallen leaves and compost them or add them to your bonfire. Leaves left on the ground can smother plants and create a breeding ground for pests.
Prune shrubs and trees: Pruning helps to maintain the shape of your plants and encourages healthy growth. Avoid pruning flowering shrubs in autumn, as they may bloom again in spring.
Divide perennials: Divide overcrowded perennials to rejuvenate them and create new plants.
Clear flower beds: Remove dead flowers and spent foliage from your flower beds.
Plant Bulbs
Autumn is the ideal time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Popular bulbs to plant include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and snowdrops. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and at the depth recommended on the packaging.
Protect Tender Plants
If you have tender plants that can't withstand frost, you'll need to protect them. Cover them with fleece or bubble wrap on cold nights, or move them indoors to a sheltered spot.
Prepare Your Lawn
Rake up leaves: Remove fallen leaves from your lawn to prevent them from smothering the grass.
Mow the lawn: Mow your lawn one last time before winter, but don't cut it too short.
Aerate the lawn: Aerating your lawn will help to improve drainage and promote healthy growth.
If you have a compost bin or suitable large container then use this to store your leaves to make a nutrient rich mulch for next year. Nettle leaves are especially good to add.
Winterise Your Containers
If you have container plants, you'll need to take steps to protect them from frost. Bring potted plants indoors or move them to a sheltered spot. You can also wrap them in bubble wrap or fleece so start saving any suitable packaging that you get in parcels.
Feed Your Garden & The Birds
Feed your garden with a balanced, natural fertiliser in autumn to help plants recover from the summer and prepare for winter. Fish blood & bone meal, home food waste compost, leaf mulch, manure and seaweed plant feed are all fantastic nutrient packed natural fertilisers. They are affordable, environmentally friendly, won't harm wildlife and your plants will love them!
As the temperatures start to drop and the berries and fruits begin to die off it's time to start filling up your feeders to provide our garden birds with much needed food throughout the autumn and winter months.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your garden is healthy and thriving throughout the winter months, ready to reawaken and thrive come spring time.
Thank you for taking the time to read our news, I hope you are able to join us at the pumpkin patch, the Christmas market or one of the upcoming wreath workshops this year. If you aren't able to visit, remember all of the shops and studios at Alby Crafts & Gardens have their own websites or social media pages which you can browse and shop from. Details of these can be found on the website https://www.albycrafts.co.uk/
Wishing everyone a wonderful autumn.
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