Create the sexiest September garden

Don’t worry, we haven’t gone crackers – but we have got some tips on how to make your garden the place everyone wants to be: last issue we looked at some attractive shelters so that you can continue to enjoy get togethers outside whatever the mood of the British weather. This time, we look at a couple of useful accessories which will make entertaining even more enjoyable. You’ll be popular!

We also focus on some seasonal events and, of course, the delightful fruits that September brings.

And talking about September fruits and not going crackers – we have actually gone nuts! The Bushy team is proud to be participating in The Nuts Challengefor the fantastic horticultural charity Perennial, which is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people who work in horticulture when times get tough. They assist with housing, health and wellbeing, debt advice, financial support etc.

The Nuts Challenge is a timed mud obstacle race over 7k-28k in Dorking, Surrey.
Our intrepid team will be running through mud and negotiating a water assault course involving climbing and crawling through all kinds of obstacles – so if you’d like to support us and Perennial, you can sponsor us via our Just Giving page here.

Whatever you do this September – we hope you get outside and have fun!

Chris & all the Bushy team

Keep the sun shining

There are still plenty of colourful summer blooms around in September and some last into October too, like the hardy Cigar Plant (cuphea cyanea). Its pink/red and yellow flowers will warm up your day.

Make your garden the place to be

Make the most of the late summer in your garden by inviting your guests and investing in a water-resistant outdoor TV to get the party started. Perfect for watching events like the men’s Rugby World Cup kicking off on 8 September for example, and the Summer Olympic Games next year. Buying tips here from ‘Livingetc’. And you’ll need something comfy for everyone to sit on – the hottest outdoor furniture trend this season is for curved garden sofas like this one from John Lewis. Ideas here from ‘Modern Gardens’.

Celebrate our hedgerows at the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s festival

Surrey Wildlife Trust and West Horsley Place are hosting the UK’s very first hedgerow-themed music and arts festival on 21 October! It’s the pinnacle event of the Hedgerow Heritage project to help conserve and preserve our hedgerows but as well as educational talks there’s folk, jazz and rock music from local performers, art displays and performances from Guildford Shakespeare, guided nature walks, professional storytelling – and, of course, refreshments from a variety of local vendors. Details/tickets.

Berry good to know

Did you know that, in summer, it’s common for some birds to move out of our gardens away from predators while they finish moulting – and there are plenty of food sources elsewhere to visit. The RSPB say don’t worry if it’s quieter – you’ll notice them return, especially if you have garden plants and hedges that produce berries in September, like blackberry, elderberry, hawthorn haws, rosehips and blackthorn sloes.

Bushy Beverage

Gin enthusiasts – two pieces of great news! Take advantage of the autumn harvest and enjoy a spiced plum gin recipe from the Craft Gin Club … and get on down to the Surrey Gin Fest on 9 September. Taking place on the front lawn of Loseley Park near Godalming, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy premium, craft and international gins, a new Festival Market, food demonstrations and live music all day! Tickets here.

Until next time!

If you can’t quite put your finger on it but you feel your garden is lacking somehow or you just want some ideas on making your garden even better, contact us! There are many different ways we can help you, whether it be design, maintenance, planting … have a chat.