Well-planned gardens can look good all year round and we here at Bushy are passionate about keeping them at their best. My brother David and I have always been ‘outdoor’ types; you know what they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing (a quote from the great Lake District author Alfred Wainwright in case you’re wondering).
Just because it’s nearly October doesn’t mean the fun stops in your garden; here are some ideas to get you, your family and friends outside (and there are a couple of garden-inspired indoor activities too!).
Press autumn flowers to admire all winter
Image: Vinai at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If you catch yourself gazing wistfully at your autumn flowers, wishing they would stay around, why not press some to decorate your house with? There are plenty of gorgeous hues to make for a splendid display, from rusty red and pumpkin orange roses, to the pinks and mauves of hydrangeas and asters. Add in a few burnished autumn leaves too.
YouTube has many videos showing you how to press flowers – you can even iron or microwave them! Take a look here.
How to impress for Oktoberfest
Lederhosen and dirndls at the ready! If you like the idea but can’t get to the actual Munich Oktoberfest, turn your outside space into an Oktoberfest party venue. Here are my tips:
1. Pitch a gazebo, marquee or Tipi for shelter, light a cheery fire-pit outside, along with your BBQ, and add a few twinkly lights.
2. Cover tables in the blue and white colours of Bavaria.
3. Add some folk music or Polka.
4. Prepare the crusty bread, Bratwurst, sauerkraut, hot potato salad and hot mustard pretzels. Don’t forget some apple strudel and Black Forest gateau.
5. Chill the wine – and beer (see Bushy Beverage below).
Image: Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Finally, for a wunderbar BBQ recipe for cracking roast chicken – check out How to Cook a Beer Can Chicken.
Bushy Beverage of the month
Craft Beers have been having ‘a bit of a thing’ for quite a while now and are perfect for Oktoberfest and general autumn shenanigans. You could order some from the man who started home brewing in his garden shed – visit the Tap Room at Brick Brewery in the railway arch by Peckham Rye station, London, and sample delicacies like Blackcurrant & Sumac or Raspberry & Thyme beer – or order online here.
Walks and woodland wizardry at Winkworth
It’s almost that time when people everywhere go ever so slightly silly, donning all manner of outlandish outfits in the name of Halloween. Love it or hate it, as half-term is also coming up, why not spend some time at glorious Winkworth Arboretum on their ‘Halloween Trail’ (20-28 October) – children can become woodland wizards and you can even carve some pumpkins (24 October).
Image by Serge Bertasius Photography at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Whatever you choose to do this October, let’s hope for an Indian Summer! If it isn’t, rest assured Bushy Business will still be out making your gardens beautiful – remember that passion I told you about?
You can read more about us here!
Until next time, have a great month!
Chris Stone
Head of Beautiful Gardens
