Green grow the gardens-oh in Highgate

The September equinox is past, Autumn is quite definitely upon us, and now is the time to start thinking about preparations for next year. Bulbs should be planted out before the first frost, ready to bloom for Spring. Cut back any trees and shrubs when they stop growing, and put the garden to bed under a good blanket of compost.

Highgate's acid soil particularly suits camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas. If you'd like to grow plants that prefer alkaline environments such as clematis, lilacs or cabbages, rebalance the pH of your soil using ground limestone or hydrated lime. If you're not sure about your garden soil's pH level, ask at your local garden centre for advice and a home testing kit.

Highgate Garden Centre, part of Capital Gardens, specialises in herbaceous borders and window boxes in order to create an "instant garden", a way to make even the newest of gardens look established and flourishing in next to no time. Planting bulbs in herbaceous borders is a great way to fill in gaps  between plants and add colour before shrubs begin to grow in early spring - daffodils, tulips and fritillarias will all create a colourful border and can be planted now.

Fancy a redesign and have no idea where to start? Former farmer Ben Loftus may be able to help. Based in North London for the past twelve years, ben likes to marry varied foliage with scented flora to create interesting and sensuous garden designs. His "Exotic Garden" is a low-maintenance, evergreen garden that created with tropical plants suited to London's climate. For more information or a quote, contact Ben on benloftus@msn.com .

Experienced gardeners know both how skilled the practice of horticulture is, and how therapeutic working in a garden can be; the Harington Scheme unites both those ideas in a Highgate-based training programme for people with learning difficulties. Harington Gardeners offers a stepping-stone to  employment for graduates on the scheme; services offered include hard and soft landscaping, maintenance and design. Telephone 020 8348 5605 or email info@harington.org.uk for more information or a quotation.

Not got a garden at all? Try Indoor Garden Design for ideas to brighten your home or office space. The team offer foliage and flowering plants suitable for indoor spaces in London including palms, figs, bamboo and other container plants, and small pots for desks and tables. Brighten up your environment and improve air quality with a succulent or two! Find Indoor Garden Design on Summersby Road near Highgate Wood.

Got a gardening tip or favourite centre you'd like to share with us? Let us know below!

Image:  fra.ps