​General Garden Tasks and Tips

Autumn is a season of transformation. It’s a time to gather the final harvest, with the last of the marrows and courgettes ready to be picked. As the days remain warm, it’s also the ideal period for cleaning, tidying and preparing the garden for the colder months ahead. The rich colours of autumn leaves add a beautiful backdrop to these tasks, making them more enjoyable.

Key Tasks for the Autumn Garden:

Harvest Apples and Pears: Continue to gather these fruits as they ripen. They’re best when picked at the peak of maturity, ensuring the sweetest flavour.

Net Ponds: Place nets over ponds to prevent fallen autumn leaves from clogging the water and decomposing, which can affect water quality.

Move Evergreen Shrubs: Now is an excellent time to relocate evergreen shrubs, giving them time to establish before winter.

Plant and Divide Perennials: Plant new perennials and divide those that have become overgrown to ensure healthy growth next year.

Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs: Get ahead by planting bulbs that will bloom in the spring, such as tulips and daffodils.

Bring Herbs Indoors: To extend their usefulness, bring herbs indoors where they can continue to thrive away from the frost.

Leave Seedheads: Leaving seedheads on plants can provide food for birds and add interest to the winter garden.

Plant Fruit Trees: Autumn is an ideal time to plant fruit trees, as the soil is still warm, encouraging root growth before winter.

Feed the Birds: As natural food sources dwindle, providing bird feed will help local wildlife thrive through the colder months.

Prune Shrubs: Prune shrubs to maintain their shape and health, removing any dead or diseased branches.

Clean Autumn Debris: Clearing fallen leaves and debris from the garden helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold during the winter.

Reflecting on the Garden

Autumn is also a wonderful time to take a step back and reflect on how your garden has performed over the year. Wander through with a notebook, assessing which plants have thrived and which have struggled. This is the perfect opportunity to decide if any plants need to be moved or replaced, ensuring a more successful garden in the coming year.

By taking these steps, you not only prepare your garden for winter but also lay the groundwork for a vibrant and flourishing spring.