7 Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Autumn

As the summer starts to fade and autumn beckons, there are still plenty of tasks to be considered in the garden. The colours may be fading and the produce mostly harvested, yet this is now time to start preparing the garden ahead of the following spring.

1. Time to Dig and time to tidy

This is a good time to dig the soil and add organic matter to help its improvement. Borders can be tidied, removing the annuals that are dying back, adding them to the compost heap. A layer of compost or rotted manure can be applied once the borders have been cleaned up.

2. Time for a pick me up for the lawn

Rake up any moss or old lawn clippings, and remove any low lying branches or hedges that may cast shade over patches of the lawn. Fork any worn areas and brush a sandy top dressing across the surface, before finally applying a feed.

3.Turning to the Perennials

Dead stems on perennials can be cut back to a couple of inches above the ground, or just above any young growth. Those with seed heads can be left as birds will feed on them. Spring flowers such as Wallflowers can be planted now, while any tender plants should be moved to a warmer, frost free spot.

4. A Bit of Maintenance

The milder times of Autumn are a good time to clean out pots readying them for spring sowing and planting. Give tools a good wash, oiling the metal parts after drying. Sharpen tools such as secateurs and consider a service for the lawn mower. Then they can go back in the shed awaiting good Spring use.

5.Greenhouse Next

Scrub down the greenhouse, and remove any shading to allow in full light. The paths, staging and inside windows can be disinfected too to try and prevent over-wintering pests and diseases.

6.Sweep up the Leaves

Raking up the leaves keeps the grass clear and also provides the chance for making leaf mould which adds organic matter when applied to the soil. Most leaves take around two years to produce leaf mould, so this is a good year on year project.

7.Cover the Pond

Putting netting over a pond will prevent leaves getting in to the water which then decomposes and affects the water quality and blocks any pump filters. Collected leaves can then be added for leaf mould.