Seasonal Planting Tips for Devon Gardens
Start in spring
We like to tidy borders early, removing winter debris to reduce pests and disease. We always check soil moisture before working it; Devon's mild winters mean soil can be workable earlier but still prone to compaction which can make it difficult to work with. Fork in well-rotted compost or a balanced organic fertiliser to feed those hungry spring plants. We usually plant summer-flowering annuals under cover and sow hardy annuals directly where space allows. Divide clumps of perennials once growth resumes, taking care with the root ball and giving each division a sidedressing of compost to make them happy.
How to manage soil and mulches
We treat soil as the foundation of success. Use compost, leaf mould and well-rotted organic matter to improve structure and drainage. We apply a mulch after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds; a simple bark or leaf mulch works well for borders and shrubs. Try to avoid digging when the soil is waterlogged to keep its structure intact. We also test surface drainage and consider creating raised beds where drainage or soil depth is a problem — we can build raised beds to help with that if you need them.
How to handle summer watering and care
For our regular customers, we water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong roots, focusing on early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. Check containers daily in hot spells and top up with water-retentive compost where needed. We deadhead spent flowers to prolong display and clip back leggy growth on tender perennials. We keep an eye out for slug damage and use pet-friendly biological slug control or physical barriers rather than hard chemical solutions.
How to prepare in autumn
Use autumn to bulk up soil reserves and plant shrubs and trees while the soil is still warm. We lift and divide overcrowded perennials and plant spring bulbs as temperatures fall, and we collect fallen leaves for leaf mould and add them to the compost heap. We also cut back tall herbaceous perennials once they have died down, leaving some seedheads where wildlife will benefit from them over winter.
How to protect plants in winter
Protect tender specimens with frost cloth or by moving containers under shelter before it gets too cold. We mulch around the base of young trees and newly planted shrubs to prevent root heave from freeze–thaw cycles. We prune deciduous trees and shrubs while they are dormant, removing dead or crossing branches and save structural pruning for late winter when sap flow starts.
How we plan year-round
We plan planting so there is interest across the year: spring bulbs, summer perennials, autumn berries and winter structure. We encourage seasonal maintenance sessions to keep the garden manageable and wildlife-friendly. We can advise on seed lists and plant spacing to avoid overcrowding and reduce disease issues. We can also supply seedlings and shrubs ready to plant. Contact our team for advice.
