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As the leaves begin to change, there are plenty of Autumn gardening jobs to get stuck into, and for gardeners like us, Autumn gives us the time to slow down from the flurry of activity in Summer and start preparing for next year.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, here are some jobs you might like to add to your Autumn gardening to-do list.
If you're new to gardening, Autumn can sometimes feel like a long to-do list, but the good news is you don’t need to do everything all at once. For those just starting out, it’s best to focus on the basics first. Clear out the weeds, remove any diseased or dead plants, give your soil a bit of TLC, and protect any plants that are particularly vulnerable to the cold, then you can think about one or two projects to take on in the spring.
Autumn is also a great time to learn more about your garden. Observations you can make now will give you the knowledge to make informed decisions in the coming months, so take some photos, note down what works well, and keep a list of plants you'd like to try next year. Remember, you don’t need to know everything before you begin, as gardening is all about observing and discovering what works best in your own space.
If you are happy with the basics, we can move on to a more in-depth look at different jobs. Firstly, as we transition into the cooler months and summer jobs wind down, it is a good time to begin a bit of a garden reset. In case you skipped over this in the above section, the first thing on the list is to remove plants that have finished for the year, especially any that are diseased or damaged, as well as clear weeds before they get the chance to set themselves in for winter.
This is also your chance to tidy up paths, patios, decking and other hard surfaces to keep them safe and slip-free as the weather turns wetter. This includes fallen leaves, but don’t just throw them away just yet, as healthy leaves can be gathered up and composted or turned into leaf mould, which will do wonders for your soil when you’re planting next season. It’s also worth leaving some hardier seed heads and stems standing through the winter, because they can provide essential food and shelter for wildlife, and they’ll leave a bit of structure and aesthetic interest to your garden during the colder months.
Healthy soil is one of the secrets to a thriving garden, which is why Autumn is such a great time to give it a bit of extra care. Once you've pulled out weeds and harvested any produce left in your garden, add a good layer of well-rotted compost or organic matter to your borders and beds to help improve the soil’s structure and provide essential nutrients for your next cycle of planting.
Or if you’re thinking of creating new beds or making changes in your garden, Autumn is a perfect time to take a close look at your soil and learn more about it. Is it heavy, clay-like, sandy, dry, or chalky? Understanding your soil type will help you select the best plants for your space and what type of care your plants will need to flourish.
Perhaps the most valuable job for Autumn gardening doesn't actually involve a spade at all… Take a moment to plan ahead.
The recent growing season has given you plenty of useful insights about your garden, and you’ll have noticed which plants thrived and which ones struggled, so it's a good idea to make note of all these observations while everything’s still fresh in your mind. If you’re thinking about larger garden redesigns, Autumn is also an ideal time to start sketching out your ideas, and having a simple drawing of beds, paths, seating areas, and any existing trees can give you a clearer idea of what’s possible with your space.
Now we’ve spoken about the jobs to do in Autumn, let's talk about what not to do.... In some cases, leaving certain jobs until spring can actually do your plants and local wildlife a favour, for example, try not to cut back every faded perennial, as they will most likely reflower next year, and seed heads and old stems can add interest during winter and serve as food and shelter for the wildlife. If you can, leave them where they are.
It’s a good idea to hold off on pruning trees and shrubs unless you’re sure it’s the right time, as pruning at the wrong time of year might stop next season’s flowers from blooming or encourage growth that’s vulnerable during the colder months. You don’t have to clear every fallen leaf, either. Removing leaves from lawns and hard structures that could become slippery is a good idea, but leave some underneath trees and shrubs or use them to make leaf mould.
Autumn’s a great opportunity to take a step back and take stock of what you’ve achieved over the last year in your garden, then get ready for the adventures of the next growing season. So whether you’re new to gardening or just after some fresh ideas for your garden design, a bit of planning now can really pay off next year. Take a moment to think about what worked well and use the quieter months to come up with your next gardening project.
Need help making those visions a reality? Then contact the experts at Instant Scenery, who will be more than happy to guide you through the next steps for your garden:
https://www.instantscenery.co.uk/contact
