9 Ways To Prepare Your Garden For Autumn

By Moira Chisholm

Pic: iStockphoto

Spend the last few weeks of summer giving your gardens some TLC in order to prepare for autumn and the colder months ahead…

The shed specialists at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have looked at ways green-fingered gardeners should be spending their time as the days get shorter and colder.

Listed among the recommended tasks are doing a big tidy, and planting spring bulbs in preparation for next year.

Gardeners should also remember to clear up fallen leaves, pack away garden furniture and protect pots and plants.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “As soon as the nice weather disappears, and the chilly days and dark evenings set in, people start to neglect their gardens.

Autumn is one of the most important times of the year for gardening – it’s the time to get the garden tidied up ready for the chilly months and to do all those little jobs to make sure plants and garden features remain in good condition.

“As it gets colder it’s too easy to put the jobs off – but it really is worth investing the time so when Spring finally puts in an appearance, you’re ready to enjoy your outside space.”

9 jobs to get your garden ready for autumn

1. Net the pond

If you’re fortunate enough to have a pond, cover it with a net. Forget and you’ll be fishing out soggy plants and leaves all winter.

2. Cut the lawn

Remember – your lawn will need a really good cut before the cold and wet weather sets in. If you let the grass get too long, it will be near impossible to cut it over the winter.

3. Clean and clear

Just as you would spring clean your house, don’t forget to autumn clean your garden. Cut back plants and clear out the shed and greenhouse before you store everything for winter. It is also a good time to pressure wash the patio or scrub down the decking. This will stop excessive dirt and grime build up occurring over the wet winter months.

4. Don’t let leaves build up

Smiling woman putting leaves garden cleaning gardening housework bucket

Pic: iStockphoto

Leaves are public enemy number one so as they start to fall from the trees, don’t let them build up. If you do, they’ll soon turn to mulch and become slippery and dangerous.

5. Plant spring bulbs

many crocuses in spring - flowering flowerbed

Pic: iStockphoto

If you like the sight of daffodils and tulips in the spring, then remember to plant them in September/October.

6. Protect your pots

Store both your empty and in-use pots correctly over the winter months. Insulate with either hay, cardboard or bubble wrap and make sure you raise all in-use pots off the ground to prevent them from getting waterlogged during rainy weather.

7. Protect your plants

The first frost of the year can arrive without any warning and can kill your favourite foliage. If you have any plants you know are susceptible to cold weather, get them in the greenhouse or in your conservatory.

8. Clear away garden items

Don’t forget to pack away any garden items that may get damaged by the cold weather. If your furniture or BBQ won’t fit in the shed, make sure they’re covered up properly.

9. Don’t forget the wildlife

Don’t forget about any wildlife that visits your garden. Make sure you leave out seeds for the birds and any suitable leftovers.

Tips and trends for your autumn garden

Autumn is the perfect time of year to plant, as the soil is still warm from the summer sun, which encourages root growth, and moist from autumn rain. Choose plants that will add instant colour and drama to your garden now, grow your own winter vegetables, plant a fruit tree, or add spring flowering bulbs for beautiful blooms next year.

Purple crocuses

Instant Impact Plants

“As the days shorten go for bold, vibrant colours, moving away from pale pastel colours that are so popular in summer,” says Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres.

Brighten your garden by adding asters and chrysanthemums, and put life back into your beds and containers, with dainty violas, cyclamen and pansies. Or for minimal effort and maximum impact you could buy a ready planted container, packed with plants to give you perfect autumn colour.

Chrysanthemums, asters, pansies, and a ready-planted autumn pot

Grow your own

It’s so satisfying to grow your own fruit and veg and it’s very easy too. Now is the time to plant broad beans, cabbages, onions, garlic, peas, salad mixes and spinach. Autumn is also the best season to plant fruit trees such as apples, pears and plums – just give them time and they’ll reward you for years and years with glorious blossom in the spring followed by tasty fruit.

Cabbages

Beautiful bulbs

Plan for spring by planting flowering bulbs in autumn.

“I would encourage people to buy now for the widest choice and freshest stock. Bulbs are very easy to plant, and there are so many beautiful varieties and colours available. Some of the most popular bulbs to try include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, alliums and snowdrops,” said Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres.

Colourful tulips

Get a lush lawn

Now is the perfect time to get your lawn into shape.

Remove moss – Scarify your lawn with a rake to remove moss and weeds. Or if this sounds like too much hard work, then try a great product called ‘Mo Bacter’, an easy to use moss remover that ‘eats’ moss without turning it black, so you don’t have to rake it out! It is safe for children and pets, and can also feed your lawn for up to 100 days.
Aerate your lawn – Perforating the soil with small holes helps drainage, and allows water, air and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots, giving you a stronger and more vigorous lawn. Small areas can be spiked with a garden fork, or use a handheld hollow tine aerator.
Feed and seed – Use a granular feed such as ‘Miracle-Gro Evergreen Autumn’ which releases a steady amount of nutrients over a period of weeks. Then fix any bare patches by overseeding.

9 Ways To Prepare Your Garden For Autumn