Autumn Gardening Tips & Tricks
SDW Gardening Team
Published March 15, 2024
As the leaves begin to change and temperatures start to drop, autumn presents the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for the winter months ahead. With the right approach, you can ensure your outdoor space remains healthy and beautiful throughout the colder season.
Essential Autumn Garden Tasks
1. Lawn Care and Maintenance
Autumn is crucial for lawn health. Continue mowing until growth stops, gradually reducing the cutting height. Apply autumn fertilizer to strengthen roots for winter, and consider overseeding thin areas. Remove fallen leaves regularly to prevent lawn suffocation and disease.
2. Planting Spring Bulbs
October and November are ideal for planting spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. Plant bulbs at a depth three times their height in well-draining soil. Choose a sunny or partially shaded location for best results.
3. Pruning and Plant Care
Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches from trees and shrubs. However, avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering plants as this may remove next year's blooms. Focus on light maintenance and shaping instead.
4. Leaf Management
Don't let fallen leaves accumulate on your lawn, but don't waste them either. Collect leaves for composting or use them as mulch around trees and shrubs. Shredded leaves make excellent organic matter for improving soil structure.
Preparing for Winter
Protecting Tender Plants
Wrap tender plants in horticultural fleece or move potted plants to sheltered locations. Mulch around the base of borderline hardy plants to protect roots from frost. Consider bringing sensitive plants indoors or into a greenhouse.
Garden Cleanup
Clear annual bedding plants and vegetables that have finished cropping. Clean and store garden tools properly to prevent rust and damage. Drain and store hoses and watering equipment to prevent freeze damage.
Professional Garden Services
While many autumn tasks can be handled by homeowners, some require professional expertise. At SDW Gardening LTD, we offer comprehensive autumn garden preparation services including:
- Professional lawn care and fertilization
- Expert pruning and plant health assessments
- Comprehensive garden cleanup services
- Winter protection installation
- Seasonal planting and bulb installation