At the end of summer, most of us are ready to head inside pull on our thick jumpers and vegging out in front of the fire. However, if you want to enjoy your garden come springtime (and possibly over the next few months as well), we advise completing these essential tasks first.
The autumnal garden checklist
1. Bring tender plants indoors
In order to keep vulnerable plants safe from frost, bring them inside now, but make sure to check for any insects that should be left in your compost bin.
2. Unclog the gutters
Remove any build-up of muck from gutters and drains before fallen leaves and increased rain create a blockage.
3. Clean water features
Whether you have a pond, fountain, or pool, it’s time to remove any fallen leaves from the surface and consider using a net or cover to keep the water clear over winter. In the case of ponds, you also need to remove weeds and cut back overgrown plants.
4. Repair fences
Autumn and winter can bring strong winds, which might mean that a panel gets damaged or an entire fence gets blown over in a storm. Check for weak spots or damage and do spot repairs if possible to lengthen the life of your fence.
5. Put away garden furniture
It might seem obvious, but there are plenty of people who assume that outdoor tables and chairs don’t need to be stored or forget to put them away before the weather changes. If there’s no storage space in the house, consider getting a UK-made metal shed from https://www.qualitysteelsheds.co.uk/, which will pay for itself by keeping your stored items usable for longer.
6. Tidy your plants
If any plants are overgrown, have dying flowers, or fallen fruit, compost the excess now. It’ll help prevent disease from spreading and help sunlight reach all plants.
7. Clear your vegetable garden
Harvest any remaining crops before they become inedible and weed the garden thoroughly to ensure that your food-producing plants can grow big and strong.
8. Plant springtime bulbs
Even though spring feels like a long way away, it comes around quicker than you expect. If you want to have your garden filled with colour in March and April, start planting your tulips, hyacinths, and peonies now.
9. Mow your lawn
Grass does still grow during winter, so pick a dry day to mow your lawn before rain waterlogs it and frost sets in.
10. Remove worm casts
As worms aerate your soil, which is good for the lawn, they leave behind little piles of earth and this can create a mess in the rain. On a dry day, use a stiff broom to brush these casts into the rest of the soil.
11. Feed the grass
A lawn food specially formatted to strengthen grass in cold and rainy weather should be put down to make your grass healthier next year.
12. Water your garden
As temperatures cool and the sun hides behind clouds more often, it’s easy to forget that your garden – both plants and lawn – might still need more water until the rain comes. Ensuring that they have a good drink now can help to make sure that they stay hydrated throughout the next few months.
13. Fill your bird feeders
There are fewer natural food sources for birds over winter, so fill up your feeders to ensure that they get a hearty meal and increase your chances of seeing some life in your garden over the winter.
Many shops sell ready-made feeders and feed, but you can also make your own. As a bonus, it’s a fun activity for kids and can be a nice gift from children to family members, teachers, and babysitters.
14. Clean and put away your tools
After all that hard work, the last thing left to do is clean your tools and put them into storage until next year. This keeps them in good working order, so they’re ready to use when you need them.
Finally, it’s time for you to have a rest. Make yourself a cuppa, curl up on the sofa, and read that book you’ve just bought because the garden is ready for whatever the British weather throws its way.