Use our seasonal gardening checklist to stay organised and make the most of your time outdoors
Make the Most of Autumn:
Autumn is one of the most important seasons in the gardening calendar. From planting spring bulbs and winter bedding to preparing borders, lawns and vegetable plots for the months ahead, a few simple tasks now can make a big difference next year. Here are some of the key jobs to tackle during October and November.
Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs:
Now is the ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils, alliums and crocus for a colourful display next spring. Plant into well-drained soil or containers and enjoy months of anticipation before they burst into bloom.
Divide Overcrowded Perennials:
Many herbaceous perennials benefit from being lifted and divided in autumn. This helps reinvigorate older clumps and gives you extra plants for free.
Tidy Vegetable Beds:
Remove spent crops, weeds and debris to leave beds clean and ready for winter. Adding compost or well-rotted manure now will improve soil structure for next year’s crops.
Lift and Store Dahlia Tubers:
After the first frosts blacken the foliage, carefully lift dahlia tubers and store them somewhere cool and frost-free. This helps protect them through winter, ready for replanting next spring.
Mulch Borders:
A layer of mulch helps protect plant roots from winter weather while improving soil health. Apply compost, bark or well-rotted manure around plants to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.
Rake Leaves:
Regularly clear fallen leaves from lawns and paths to prevent slippery surfaces and keep grass healthy. Collected leaves can be turned into valuable leaf mould for use around the garden.
Protect Ponds:
Falling leaves can quickly build up in ponds and affect water quality. Stretch netting over ponds before heavy leaf fall to make autumn maintenance much easier.
Harvest Winter Vegetables:
Many crops continue cropping well into autumn and winter. Harvest leeks, parsnips, kale and other seasonal vegetables as needed for fresh produce straight from the garden.
Help Garden Wildlife:
Once nesting season has finished, clean out bird boxes to provide a safe shelter for birds during winter. It’s also a great time to leave seed heads and natural habitats for wildlife to enjoy.
Plant Winter Bedding:
Bring colour to beds, borders and containers with winter-flowering favourites such as pansies, violas, primroses and cyclamen. These hardy plants provide welcome colour right through the colder months.
Care for Your Lawn:
Autumn is the perfect time to aerate compacted lawns, repair bare patches and clear away leaves. A little attention now will help keep grass healthy through winter and ensure a greener lawn next spring.
Plant Bare-Root Hedging:
Bare-root hedging plants are excellent value and establish quickly when planted during the dormant season. They are ideal for creating boundaries, privacy and wildlife-friendly habitats.
