Autumn Garden Planning

So in the midst of the searing heat what better way to relax than plan a little Autumn gardening.  Whilst our days are currently spent mowing and watering and keeping gardens in good shape, evenings are overflowing with lists of flowering bulbs, winter veg, maintenance jobs and reorganisation of beds and borders.  This year I am planning a formal vegetable garden using raised beds and classic decorative formations.  I am studying Gertrude Jeckyll's gardens and will be taking a trip to Castle Drogo in September for more inspiration.  So I encourage all of those planning a garden in Tuscany to well ahead towards Spring 2014 and start ordering spring bulbs and seeds.  There are some great mail order companies such as Franchi or check out the RHS website or the Mediterranean Garden Society for research material. 

Why not create an online scrapbook of ideas on Pinterest too which is great fun and start compiling a monthly check list of garden jobs to do this autumn.

Influences

This year we have been really focusing on learning from others, absorbing colour, pattern, texture, shape and form.  Drawing inspiration from gardens and garden designers, architects and artists gives us fresh ideas and helps us to form our own visions for garden design and keeps the creative juices flowing.

Last month I visited Alnwick Gardens in Northumbria, UK and was overwhelmed by the glorious rose garden, still bursting with colour even in the autumn.  The contemporary metal water features were seriously impressive and would I feel work well on a smaller scale, children were enthralled by how the water kept flowing and the Vortex was a favourite for me.  The formal rose garden was just wonderful and I was able to select a few different species that would work in our Tuscan Garden Designs.

The willow maze made an impact and I would love to grow living willow sculptures or dens for kids but just need to create a damp garden for the plants to thrive in - not so easy here in the countryside near Siena.  I was also reminded of the wonderful quote engraved on a standing stone within the garden 'only dead fish swim with the stream' so true and should be interpreted into all that we do.

I brought back a whole heap of notes, photos, sketches and ideas combining traditional and contemporary ideas for modern gardens here in Italy.  Can't wait to start working on a few projects, but first I need to finish off the hardwood cuttings ready for the spring and pot up plants for gardens in Pescia, Monte Amiata, Siena and Montespertoli, phew!

Spring bulbs in the Tuscan garden

We are currently working on a wonderful project in Pescia which looks set to become a gorgeous family garden with areas for eating, relaxing, woodland walks, terraces, a pergola and treehouse.  So whilst we have all been very busy we are enjoying the challenge of working on such an exciting project. This week has involved planting over 1000 spring bulbs and I can’t wait to see the shoots nose through the soil over the next few months.  We have also been moving lots of autumn bulbs to new locations ready for next year.  This month’s Tuscan Magazine also includes our feature on spring bulbs and how to create a wonderful Tuscan garden bursting with colour and of course we have included info on the renowned Florentine Iris.  

At last we have some rain and the gardens are so happy and are already looking healthier and greener.  Here near Siena the gardens had literally dried out and I am amazed by the plants resilience,  with scant watering and lots of encouragement they have come through, I am sure the thick mulch has saved them.  Next week we are back to Pescia and are also working on a project in the forest at Monte Amiata which is stunning, and we get to collect chestnuts whilst we are working – wonderful.