How to Prepare Your Garden for Autumn

Essential Tasks and Tips

As summer’s vibrant hues begin to fade, it’s time for gardeners to usher in the beauty of autumn. The months of September, October, and November mark a period of transition in the garden, requiring thoughtful care and attention to prepare for the colder months ahead. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key tasks for each month, ensuring your garden thrives as the seasons change. 

September: Planting and Renewal

Planting for Spring:

• September invites the planting of Daffodils, Ammi, and Cornflowers, laying the foundation for a colourful spring garden.
• Divide herbaceous perennials like Geraniums and Astrantia, ensuring their health and vitality in the coming year.
• Sow hardy annuals such as Cerinthe and Scabious, adding bursts of colour to your garden next spring.
• Create your tree and hedge wish list ready for ordering in October root ball season 

Maintenance and Care:

• Continue picking Dahlias to encourage more blooms, prolonging the summer display.
• Harvest seeds from early summer-flowering perennials and annuals, storing them in a cool, dry place for future use.
• Tie up vulnerable plants in preparation for autumnal gales 
• Fill bird feeders, supporting local wildlife during the changing seasons. 
• As lawn growth slows, raise the height of your lawn mower as growth slows. 
• Lay or seed a new lawn areas

October: Planning and Planting

Strategic Planting:

• Plant drifts of snowdrops, crocus, and daffodils, anticipating a vibrant early spring display.
• Order your root ball tree and hedge wish list
• Order bare root roses and other similar species 
• Plant hedges, trees and shrubs while the soil retains its warmth, ensuring their roots establish well before winter.

Harvest and Preservation:

• Scarify and aerate your lawn
• Pick apples and pears, savouring the fruits of your labour and preparing for delicious culinary endeavours.
• Collect fallen leaves and store them for leaf mould, a valuable addition to your garden’s soil health.

November: Transition and Protection

Final Plantings:

• Plant tulips and other spring bulbs, completing the groundwork for a spectacular spring bloom.
• Sow sweet peas to overwinter in a cold frame or greenhouse, ensuring a head start on next year’s flowering season.

Garden Preservation:

• Wrap your tree ferns and similar species to provide protection to delicate plants, safeguarding them from winter’s chill.
• Lift pots onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging, ensuring the health of your potted plants.
• Leave seed heads in place for winter interest and wildlife 

Year-End Tasks:

• Prune deciduous trees or enlist the help of a tree surgeon if necessary, shaping your garden’s canopy for the coming year.
• Split and stack logs for the rest of the winter 
• Enjoy the satisfaction of a well organised autumnal garden, prepared for the winter 

As you navigate the tasks of September, October, and November, your garden will not only survive the autumnal shift but will also flourish, promising a glorious return in the spring.

With careful planning and nurturing, your garden will continue to bring joy and beauty, even in the colder months. Happy gardening!