As we embrace the beauty of falling leaves and the chill in the air, we need to remember that it is still important to continue maintaining our gardens during autumn time. With winter just around the corner, now is the right time to tick off a few gardening tasks to ensure your garden survives another unpredictable and cold British winter, to ensure your garden blooms even better in the following spring. So, let’s list the top 8 autumn tips to prepare your garden for winter.
1. Clear the Debris
The first task is to begin removing fallen leaves, dead plants and any other debris from your garden. This will not only keep your garden looking tidy and orderly, but it will also prevent pests and diseases from finding a clean home in the decaying mess.
2. Prune and Trim
Before the winter sweeps in, make sure to prune and trim your hedges, shrubs and trees. This helps to shape them nicely, it also removes any withered or damaged branches. Don’t forget about any perennial plants as well such as peonies and climbing roses.
3. Mow Your Lawn
Once winter hits, growth starts to slow down so this means autumn is your last chance to cut your lawn. Firstly, rack your lawn to remove any remaining debris. For a tidy lawn, mow it once a week or once a fortnight, depending on the weather conditions and how fast your lawn grows. Grass clippings and any racked-up debris are a great source of nitrogen, making it ideal to add to your compost heap or bin.
4. Plant Your Spring Flowers
Autumn is the perfect time to plant your spring flowers in your garden. Daffodils, tulips, crocuses and any other spring bulbs can be planted to bring life, colour and vibrancy when spring makes a return. If you do not have a flower bed, spring-flowering bulbs are ideal for growing in plant containers. Make sure to plant bulbs three times their depth and one bulb width apart for the best results.
5. Use Mulch
Fertilising your garden ensures your plants receive slow-releasing nutrients throughout the harsh winter. Mulch helps to retain moisture and adds organic matter to your soil, making your plants more resistant to pests and diseases. It also acts as a great insulator to protect the roots from freezing temperatures as well as a natural weed barrier to slow down the growth of weeds.
6. Relocate Fragile Plants
Fragile plants are more likely to become damaged by the cold and frost, so it’s best to relocate them to a better environment. Dahlias, fuchsias, hibiscus, herbs and any tropical plants are some examples of fragile plants that dislike the cold. Moving them into your conservatory or greenhouse if possible. Otherwise, create a protective cover using hessian or horticultural fleece. For any potted fragile plants, wrap the plant containers in bubble wrap or hessian to provide insulation.
7. Store Away Garden Furniture
If you have garden benches, lounge chairs or outdoor dining sets, you might want to consider moving them to a garage or shed to keep them dry and protect wood pieces from water damage which can lead to rotting. Alternatively, a waterproof cover will provide some protection once it is secured properly and checked regularly. Once garden furniture is taken care of, it can be bought out again and again without having to replace pieces.
8. Nurture Local Wildlife
While plants and garden furniture are often the first two things that come to mind about preparing a garden for winter, it’s also important to think of the wildlife. Winter can be a harsh season for local wildlife such as hedgehogs, birds, squirrels, foxes and frogs, as it can be difficult to find food during frosty and snowy conditions. Placing old empty pots in outdoor dry areas can provide shelter for hedgehogs. Leaving out food and water can provide nutrition for birds and other creatures. Animal feed can be purchased from your local garden centre or pet shop.
Get Help With Your Garden, Join taskm8 Today
Autumn garden maintenance can seem like hard work and time-consuming, but it is so worth it as it makes your garden thrive in the spring! You may have other priorities than gardening or have limited mobility, leaving you with only one option – hire a professional gardener, but this can be costly.
However, there is a much more cost-effective solution. taskm8 enables you to connect online with a m8 who has the right skills and enough time to complete your garden tasks for you, in exchange for a fee. When you post a task, you will be asked to give a brief description before choosing the price and the time frame. Once our m8’s have applied for your task, you have the control to increase the price or choose your preferred m8 by viewing their profile and reviews.
Signing up only takes a few minutes, download the app through App Store or Google Play or create a free account today. To learn more about how taskm8 works, visit our FAQ page.
