As the evenings draw in and the leaves start to fall, autumn is one of the best times of year to get your garden in order. A good clear-out now means less mess over winter, healthier plants in spring and a garden you can actually enjoy when the weather turns warm again. Here's how Peterborough gardeners can tackle the job without it taking over every weekend until Christmas.
Most plants are slowing down by late October, so you can cut back, lift and tidy without doing much harm. The ground is usually still workable before the hard frosts arrive, and clearing dead growth now helps reduce slugs, snails and diseases sheltering over winter. It's also the season when summer leftovers start to look tired: broken garden furniture, cracked pots and the odd pile of rubble that has been "waiting for a skip" since spring.
A little planning saves a lot of trips. Walk round the garden and make a quick list:
Splitting the list into green waste and general garden rubbish makes it far easier to decide what goes where.
Fallen leaves are not really waste at all. Rake them off the lawn so the grass isn't smothered, then put them to work:
Keep paths and steps clear, as wet leaves can be very slippery.
Cut back perennials that have finished and gone mushy, but consider leaving a few seed heads standing for birds and insects. Give hedges a final light tidy rather than a hard cut, and remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches from shrubs. Woody prunings are slow to compost, so either shred them or set them aside for disposal.
For small amounts, your home compost heap and Peterborough City Council's garden waste collection service are good options. Check the council's website for how the service works and what it accepts. For bigger loads, the Household Recycling Centre at Fengate takes garden waste from Peterborough residents, though you'll need a free vehicle e-permit before you visit.
If your clear-out is a big one, with soil, roots, old fencing and broken furniture all in the mix, a mini or midi skip is often the simplest answer. Everything goes straight in, there are no repeated car trips with muddy bags, and the waste is taken to a licensed transfer station to be sorted and recycled where possible.
Our skips range from 2 to 4 yard. A 2 yard mini skip suits a modest tidy-up or heavier material such as soil and rubble. A midi skip in the 3 to 4 yard range suits bulkier green waste like branches, hedge cuttings and old sheds broken down into panels. If you're unsure, have a look at our skip sizes page or give us a call and we'll help you choose.
Yes, soil and turf can usually go in a skip. They're heavy, so a smaller skip is often the better choice. Let us know what you're clearing when you book.
Burning garden waste can annoy neighbours and may cause a nuisance. Composting, council collections and skips are usually better options.
Hire periods can vary, so just tell us how long you need it when you ask for a quote.
High Court Skip Hire is a family-run business based at Unit 2 Broadway Business Park, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3EN, serving Peterborough and the surrounding villages. Our mini and midi skips, from 2 to 4 yard, come with fast delivery and collection, competitive rates and quick quotes, and all waste goes to a licensed transfer station where it's sorted and recycled where possible.
Take a look at our skip sizes, check the areas we cover or find out more about us. When you're ready, contact us, call 07407 445417 or email [email protected]. You can book in minutes, with no hassle.