With the summer well and truly behind us, it’s time to start thinking about getting ready for the cold months ahead. If you have a garden, it’s probably best to prepare it for autumn right at the beginning of autumn — while the weather is still playing ball.
So before the frosts arrives, here are a few tips for getting your garden ready for autumn.
Get clipping
Early autumn is the perfect time to get the clippers out and trim the excess growth that summer brings. Prune your hedges, trim your trees and tidy up your lawn with nice, neat edges. This job is a lot easier when the weather is fine, so the earlier you can do it, the better.
Get composting
The falling leaves of autumn are great for producing rich and fertile soil for the year ahead. Make sure you’re turning the leaves into areas of soil you use for growing flowers, plants and vegetables. This is also a great time to start your own compost heap — using scraps from the kitchen.
Remove dead foliage
It’s important to tidy up your garden and give it a chance to recover for next summer. Start by removing any dead leaves and plants from areas where evergreen plants and trees grow. If you planted summer flowers, remove them now and add them to your compost heap. If you have flowering perennials, cut them back to encourage healthy growth. Also, check the leaves and flowers of your perennials for signs of rot; if you notice any, cut the affected parts away. And to finish, completely rid your garden of weeds.
Attend to your lawn
To ensure that your lawn is in the best possible shape for the spring, start mowing less frequently when the autumn arrives. As the rate of grass growth slows, start to raise its height in readiness for a barren winter. Remove any moss and weeds from your lawn, and finish off by giving your grass a meal of potassium-rich lawn feed.
Prepare for next year
The ideal to plant spring plants and bulbs is the preceding autumn, as the soil is still warm enough to support initial growth. Make sure that your tulip and daffodil bulbs are planted during September, before the first frosts set in. If you’re planning trees and shrubs in your summer garden next year, this is the perfect time to plant them — giving them warmth and time to establish themselves before the worst of the winter weather arrives.
Spare a thought for wildlife
There’s nothing nicer than an autumnal garden filled with wildlife, and there are a few steps you can take to ensure you get your fair share of birds. Plant a couple of berry trees to attract the birds throughout the autumn and winter months, and install a bird feeder near a tree. It’s also a good idea to check for hedgehogs and rodents before mowing or clipping.
Prepare your pond
If you have a pond in your garden, it’s important to protect it from falling leaves. If dead leaves cover the surface, any fish you have will eventually run short on oxygen. Clean your pond thoroughly, and install a net over the top. Every few days, clear the net of debris and put it straight back. It’s also worth checking that your pond is deep enough. Many species prefer to sink lower in the water during cold weather, so make sure your pond is at least two feet deep going into the winter months.
Clean and dismantle garden structures
If you have a conservatory or a greenhouse, this is the time to give it a deep clean. If you use a garden shed or a garage for storage, clean and organise it in readiness for the storage of garden equipment. Dismantle temporary gazebos and pergolas, and store away all your garden furniture.
Start getting your garden ready for the autumn now, and you can relax and enjoy it throughout the colder months of the year.
