5 jobs to get done in the garden this autumn!

We hate to admit it, but the summer days are well and trying coming to a close. As we wave goodbye to the long evenings lounging in the garden, we must turn our attention to preparing and tending to our gardens for the cooler months.

So what can you do to keep your garden looking kempt this autumn? Here are our 5 essential garden jobs you should get done this autumn...

1 – Cut those hedges!

We recommend pruning your hedges for the last time in autumn to prevent decaying if damp should accumulate. Only cut deciduous hedges back as far as you can without creating any holes, as these will not grow back over the winter months, which will leave the hedge looking bare.

2 – Prep those Lawns!

During the winter the wet weather, low temperatures and feeble sunshine all affect your lawn – which is why they need some TLC before the cold spell begins! When the autumn leaves start to fall, they should be cleared from the lawn regularly so not to deprive your lawn of light. We recommend that you mow your lawn for the last time around the beginning of November, and be sure not to cut in shorter than 5cm, as longer grass can make better use of less sunlight.

3 - Protect those plants

Plants that are sensitive to frost, including beds and roses, should be covered with twigs, branches and leaves - or wrapped in bubble wrap. We recommend bringing any pot plants indoors or place them in a sheltered position to protect.

4 - Frost damage prevention

So that frozen water cannot cause any damage, it’s a good idea to switch off any water connections, empty taps and watering devices you have for the colder months. If you have any water features, dismantle any pumps and, if necessary, install an anti-ice pump.

5 - Lights

We could write a whole blog without mentioning garden lighting, could we? Now is the time to make your garden glow with beautiful outdoor lighting. Our range of garden lighting includes floodlights, security lighting, wall lights, garden lanterns as well as festoon lights and decking solutions! Having worked in commercial outdoor lighting for over 40 years, manufacturing and supplying exterior lighting and street furniture to councils, architects & designers, we really know the ins and outs of garden lighting!

We’re passionate about garden lights and landscape lighting and are more than happy to offer you some of the best inside tips and suggestions from our previous projects.

If you want to add a glow to your garden this autumn give us a call - 01773 541 003

Romantic mood lighting...

As February is the month of love, hosting the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day, we’ve been thinking about the power lighting can have when setting a romantic setting. The right outdoor lighting really can turn a dull, unimpressive garden into a glowing wonderland, helping to melt even the hardest of hearts. The usual choice for setting a romantic mood it through the use of candles, but they are not always suitable for use outdoors. Particularly in the great British weather where a light breeze can blow candles out in a second, leaving you back at square one, or worse, in the dark! 

Here at The Garden Lighting shop we are experts in garden and landscape interior lighting, and we believe that we can help turn your garden into your own little love retreat. 

Here are some of our suggestions –

Solar Lights
Solar lights are an excellent choice for creating a romantic ambience. As the night approach, our solar lights automatically blink on, illuminating the garden and eliminating any interrupt in conversation. Be sure to check out our selection.

Flood lighting
Landscape lighting can have a dramatic effect on the look of your garden; it can turn a plain and boring garden into somewhere stunning that you will want to spend all your time with your loved one. There are many reasons for wanting to install flood and area lighting in your outdoor spaces, to light up paths and driveways, to illuminate decking or patio areas or even to highlight certain features, and they are guaranteed to set a romantic tone to your garden.

Hanging Lights/Party string lights
String lights are perfect for mapping out a romantic walk around the garden, or for decorating an area for a romantic meal. We have a varied and beautiful range of hanging lights including our Green Coloured Lantern Party Light . Ideal for a starry-eyed evening this attractive set of green coloured plastic replica oil lantern party light set are each equipped with a warm white, long lasting and economical LED light source.

We evening supply lighting solutions for weddings! Our festoon lighting and outdoor party lights come in a variety of lengths and styles. They offer a quick, economical and effective solution to providing pretty and atmospheric lighting to the most important day of your life. Our quality lighting harness is built to our own high specification and designed to fulfil the demand for use within Marquees and Weddings offering a practical, attractive and unobtrusive lighting scheme. 

At The Garden Lighting shop we only sell brand new, high quality products direct from the manufacturer and all products offered on our website can be purchased directly from the site or by phoning us or if you wish you can send your orders by email, fax or letter.

Light up your summer garden with festoon lights

All thoughts turn to the outdoors at this time of year, as the weather improves and we can begin to daydream of sitting outside smelling the remnants of that delicious summer barbecue, with a glass of wine or bottle of beer in hand. But as the long and mild evenings draw closer, how do you plan to add that extra sparkle to those summer nights of respite?

Living and dining al fresco is one of the more pleasurable benefits of the summer, but what if you didn’t have to enjoy such magical moments during just one season of the year? Nothing signals summer evenings outdoors like ambient lighting while entertaining friends or family at those garden gatherings. Dim lights create a romantic, warm feel without attracting hundreds of flies!

With our unpredictable British weather it does prove difficult to find a functional and portable solution for such occasions. Although, why just opt for lighting in the summer months, and not all year round - something to make your garden glisten all year long.

Creating your own seasonal space doesn’t have to involve costly renovations or the re-thinking of your entire living environment, by purchasing the right outdoor lighting you can create the perfect ambience and settings with just a small investment.

Wedding and event planners have used outdoor festoon lighting so beautifully for years and now thanks to more affordable options provided by the Garden Lighting Shop you too can recreate that gorgeous elegance in your very own back garden.

As a quick and effective solution to your entertainment lighting, festoon lighting also has many diverse and varied applications offering the perfect solution when creating atmosphere at summer parties, weddings, garden displays or even just lighting up walkways and dining areas.

Why not cordon off a small corner of your garden to create a new and exciting environment to find respite and put your feet up or even spice up the space rerated by your decking?

With the addition of the right festoon lights you can turn an area of your garden into a brand new venue for relaxation and entertainment, after all , why have a garden if you can’t enjoy it during the day or at night?

What Vegetables Can You Grown When?

Many people put a lot of effort into their gardens, some prefer a simple garden with room to sit in, some like a garden to be filled with flowers and colours, and some want their garden to consist of home grown fruit and vegetables.

Of course many people are keen gardeners and have lots of space where they can grow their own produce, however some people just have a small space and fancy growing a few things, so here at The Garden Lighting Shop we have decided to try and help you get started by putting together a little list of what vegetables you can plant at what time of year, as well as when they can be harvested.

Asparagus – This is a tricky one to grow as it takes a lot of time and care, but its best to start the process in autumn and most plants are ready for picking two years after being planted. If you don’t want to wait that long you will be glad to know that there are many modern varieties available that have been bred for earlier cropping.

Beans – For runner beans, climbing French beans and dwarf beans seeds can be sown from April onwards and will be ready for harvesting throughout summer.

Beetroot – These seeds are sown directly into the soil between April and July and are usually ready for harvesting about 90 days afterwards.

Broad Beans – These seeds can be sown from autumn (October) onwards, so long as there is not frost on the ground. Frost can damage your broad beans so make sure you are aware of what to do if the temperate drops too low.

Carrots – Carrots can be sown from March/April onwards and need to be planted on a dry, sunny day. From June/July onwards you can harvest them as soon as they are big enough to eat

Celery – The best thing to do with celery is to plant ready-grown seedlings in spring, this way the plants will be ready for harvesting from summer into autumn.

Courgettes – With courgettes you have two choices, you can plant your seeds into pots from March until mid-May, or you can plant your seeds directly into soil from late-May through to early summer. During the height of the season you can harvest your courgettes several times a week; this will keep the plants productive.

Cucumbers – If you are growing these in a heated greenhouse you can sow these in early spring, if you are growing them in a non-heated greenhouse or outdoors then sowing should be done in mid-spring. If planted outdoors cucumbers can be harvested until mid-September, if planted indoors harvesting can go on into mid-October.

Leeks – You can sow leek seeds between March and April, which can then be harvested from mid-summer right through until the following spring.

Onions and Garlic – Sowing for onion and garlic seeds can be done around January or February and as soon as the leaves start to yellow and die back they are ready for harvesting.

Peas – These can be grown in two ways; they can be sown in a cold frame in autumn or straight into the ground in spring and both will be ready throughout summer.

Potatoes – When growing potatoes you first of all chit them, chitting is basically the process of speeding up the ageing process of the seeds by exposing them to light and a bit of warmth. You need to start chitting in late-January, early-February and then plant them in mid-March, early-April. The potatoes will be ready for harvesting between June and September, depending on the variety of potato and the growing conditions.

Sweetcorn – This can be planted in the spring and will be ready for harvesting by late-summer.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes should be sown in late February and will be ready for harvesting in summer.

Of course there are many more vegetables that you can grow but these are the most common; we hope that this is of some help to you and wish you luck with your garden!

The Garden Lighting Shop

Here at The Garden Lighting Shop we specialise in...you guessed it, garden lighting! Our extensive range of lighting includes a wide variety of exterior lighting that is suitable for gardens, patios and landscaping projects.

Whether you want lighting for decorative or security purposes we have something for everyone and for every need.

With many years experience in the lighting industry we are a company that you can trust to supply you with the very garden lights around!

You may be thinking there aren’t that many types of garden lights out there, but you would be wrong! As you will see from looking at our website there are many, here are a few of them:

Low voltage lights are a more affordable type of outdoor lighting, whether this is a path or a patio area, this safe lighting is a great way of adding light to an outside area.

Flood lighting is a very popular type of outdoor lighting as it is often used for security purposes; this type of lighting is available in a range of styles and prices in order to suit all needs and budgets.

Festoon and Party lights are very popular outdoor lights; after all it is pretty much impossible to hold an outdoor party with no lighting! They come in different colours and styles so no matter what atmosphere you want to create at your party there is sure to be a light for you. There is also a variety of rope lights and curtain lights which are a great outdoor addition if you want to create a nice ambiance for a special occasion.

If you want some outdoor lighting but fancy something a little extra special then our range of decorative lighting will provide exactly that! We have a range of lamp posts and other styles that will look lovely on your path or in your garden.

For those of you who want some garden lighting but don’t fancy anything permanent then portable floor and table lamps are available, these look lovely dotted around the garden area.

All in all there is a garden light for every need and occasion, so if you want to add a little something extra to your outdoor area then this could be the perfect idea! Alternatively if security is something you are concerned about then this could be a great solution.

Browse our website and see exactly what we have to offer, don’t forget to check our clearance section to see if you can pick up a bargain!