As the vibrant colours of summer begin to fade (boo!) and the days grow shorter, it’s time to transition your garden from the warmth of summer to the cool embrace of autumn.
Traditionally for us, autumn is a unique and beautiful season for gardening, offering opportunities to prepare your garden for winter and enjoy the last burst of colour before the cold sets in. In this bitesize blog, we’ll take you through 8 top tips to prepare on how to prepare your garden for autumn.
1. Clear Out Summer Growth
Before you can welcome autumn into your garden, you’ll need to bid farewell to your summer plants. Start by removing any annuals that have finished flowering, and trim back perennials that are past their prime. Pruning and deadheading will not only tidy up your garden but also encourage new growth in the coming seasons.
2. Tackle Weeds and Overgrowth
Autumn is an excellent time to combat weeds and overgrown areas. Take the time to weed your garden beds thoroughly and remove any invasive plants. Trim back overgrown shrubs and trees to maintain a tidy appearance.
3. Rake Up Fallen Leaves
One quintessential task of autumn gardening is dealing with fallen leaves. Rather than letting them accumulate, gather fallen leaves and add them to your compost pile. They’ll break down over time, enriching your compost with valuable nutrients!
4. Feed and Mulch
Autumn is an ideal time to nourish your soil. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for your plants. Afterward, add a layer of mulch to your garden beds. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds.
5. Plant Autumn-Friendly Flowers
While some plants fade in autumn, others thrive in the cooler temperatures. We recommend adding autumn-flowering perennials like asters and sedums to your garden for a splash of colour. Bulbs like tulips and daffodils can also be planted now for a stunning display next spring!
6. Prune and Divide Perennials
Pruning is a must for maintaining the health of your garden. Trim back shrubs and trees that need it, but avoid heavy pruning, which can stimulate new growth that won’t have time to harden off before winter. Additionally, we recommend dividing overcrowded perennials to promote better growth.
7. Protect Tender Plants
If you have delicate plants that can’t tolerate frost, you can take measures to protect them from the chill. Use a garden fleece, cloches, or cold frames to shield them from freezing temperatures.
8. Prepare your soil for Bulbs
If you’re planning to plant spring-flowering bulbs, now is the time to prepare the soil. Ensure it’s well-drained and amend it with organic matter (compost, aged manure or grass clippings) to encourage healthy bulb growth.
Need a gardener this Autumn?
If you require professional gardening help and support – why not try us, we’ve been tending to gardens during the Autumn for over 15 years, so we’re well equipped to take care of your autumn gardening needs!
We also provide support for commercial gardening jobs, and have specialist equipment to tackle large areas in a short amount of time.
So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us now for a free quote! Covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
