Leaf clearance and seasonal jobs in Smallfield

Leaves, spring cut-backs and winter pruning in Smallfield, timed to how the clay behaves.

Leaf clearance in Smallfield matters more than in most places. The parish was once heavily wooded with oak, and big trees still line its lanes and garden boundaries. Wet leaves lying on a clay lawn turn the grass yellow underneath within a couple of weeks. And in a low-lying village, leaves washed into gullies and ditches only help water back up.

So we keep leaves moving through October and November, and fit the rest of the year’s seasonal garden maintenance around them. On a regular visit it’s all built in at no extra charge. If you’d rather handle the rest yourself, we’ll do the seasonal jobs as one-offs.

Leaf clearance and the autumn garden tidy-up, in order

Leaves come first, cleared off lawns, beds, paths and the gully by the drive. Then the main hedge cuts, now nesting is over. Then the borders: spent growth cut back, crowded perennials lifted and divided, and a fresh layer of mulch over the clay before winter. Autumn garden maintenance also means the last lawn cut, usually in October, set a little higher than summer. Done in that order, the garden goes into winter tidy and doesn’t greet you in March as a mess.

Spring and winter on Smallfield clay

Spring on clay starts late. We hold off lawn work and digging until the ground stops sticking to boots, which in the low middle of the village can mean well into April. There’s still plenty to do before then: cutting back last year’s grasses, pruning late-flowering shrubs and mulching the beds. Winter is for rose pruning in February and renovating deciduous hedges while they’re bare. We pick dry days for those, so we’re not churning up soft ground.

Seasonal Services in Smallfield: your questions

Anything else, just ring. You’ll speak to the people who do the work.

How often do you clear leaves?

Usually every visit or every other visit through October and November. If there’s a big oak hanging over the garden, expect more.

Are seasonal jobs an extra booking?

Not on a regular visit, because they’re already built in. Otherwise we’ll quote each one as a one-off.

When should I get my garden ready for spring?

Pruning and mulching can start in late February or early March. Leave the lawn and any digging until the clay has dried out enough to walk on without leaving footprints.

Can you clear leaves off gravel and paths too?

Yes. Paths, patios, gravel and the gully by the drive all get cleared along with the lawn. Wet leaves on a path are a slip waiting to happen.