Climate change within my working career

It’s now early November and the leaves are still clinging to some of the trees. When I started planting trees on the Easton Neston Estate, Towcester and Milton Keynes in the mid 80’s the leaves on the trees would all have dropped off by early to mid-October and the trees would be dormant. Today the bare root planting season is just starting 3–4 weeks later.

The weather forecast for the next week to 10 days is daytime temperatures in double digits every day, amazingly warm. Anyway now is the season for planting trees and shrubs in your garden. October to February is a good time to settle in hardy plants, there is good moisture levels, the sun is not hot and the ground is still warm which will encourage a small amount of root growth to enable the plant to get its roots ready for the hotter sun in the spring. The rain over the winter will wash finer soil particles over the newly growing roots in and around the newly planted tree or shrub. The soil will protect the roots from any freezing temperatures we may have.

With the gardening calendar quietening down, us Garden Centre operators turn to Christmas to support our business in the quieter months. Our newly extended shop is full of great Christmas products and gifts, we do still have loads of lovely plants too.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Have a great weekend

Ashley