During the colder months of the year gardens become lower maintenance, but there are important tasks you need to carry out to protect your garden from the chill.
From 5 easy ways to prepare your lawn for winter to working out which plants need protecting from frost, there's a few things you need to do to get your garden winter ready. And it's also the ideal time to plant bulbs for the spring.
But, amidst the advice circulating online, one expert has an unusual tip: plant by moonlight. Why? Well, Luke Newnes, gardening expert and member of the Interior Squad at Hillarys, says using the moon, especially the Harvest Moon, is a great ritual event that marks the time before the frost and a perfect time to do some gardening.
So, while the soil is still a little warm, it's time to plant those bulbs and get ready to reap the rewards when spring... springs back around. Here's everything you need to know about harnessing the moonlight for your planting.
Why gardeners should experiment with midnight planting
While Luke explains that moonlight planting is "a moment to pause, reflect and sow hope for the seasons ahead", there's also some very practical reasons for why nighttime is a great opportunity to plant those bulbs ready for spring.
Specifically, Luke reveals: "Cooler evenings mean less evaporation, and the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth."
And you don't just have to be planting bulbs to take advantage of this time of year, you could also harvest late crops, prep your soil for the winter, or enjoy your garden in the quiet of night.
Fortunately, it's quite likely you'll be capturing the moonlight hours if you're an avid gardener that keeps on top of the maintenance throughout the week. As the nights are getting longer, if you're home late or even not that late from work, you've still got a chance to head into the garden and, as Luke suggests, utilize a perfect time to do so.
"Cooler evenings mean less evaporation, and the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth."
Luke Newnes, gardening expert and member of the Interior Squad at Hillarys
But, as Luke also explains, it's the Harvest Moon of October that marks the truly ideal time to plant bulbs. Leaving it much deeper into winter and doing your planting at night, well, you may have missed your opportunity.
As I've recently moved home, I'm currently envisioning what I want my garden to look like when spring arrives and planning what to plant ready for next year.
And honestly, I quite like the idea of getting out into the garden in the quiet of night and preparing the space, especially since trying to do so with two small kids round my feet is pretty tricky. Though I might have to go armed with a head torch.
Expert tips for planting this October
As you ready your gardening tools to plant bulbs in the moonlight and prep your garden ready for spring, Luke has some additional useful tips to share:
- Choose hardy varieties like daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths for reliable spring color
- Plant in clusters for a natural look and stronger visual impact
- Use the moonlight to guide your layout
- Prep your soil with compost or leaf mold to give bulbs a nutrient-rich start
- Mark your spots with decorative stakes or lanterns so you remember where you've planted
Using decorative stakes or lanterns is a genius idea, as I always forget exactly where I've planted bulbs when my withered little sticks blow away or disintegrate in the cold weather.
Plus, you've plenty of reasons to use them to mark the festive season and to light up your garden for the longer, dark nights. Maybe I won't need the head torch after all.
