WHILE you might be tempted to hang up your gardening gloves until spring, now is the time to take action.
Experts have revealed the seven jobs to tick off this autumn before winter frost sets in.
A gardening expert revealed the jobs you should be carrying out before the first winter frost (stock image)[/caption]
Neil Thomas, the owner of FirePit.co.uk, explained that September and October are some of the most important months of the year when it comes to gardening.
“This is the golden window to get your garden ready for winter and give it the best possible start next spring,” the expert said.
“A couple of weekends now will save you weeks of firefighting later.”
He described early autumn as the “sweet spot” for carrying out gardening tasks.
“The soil’s still holding some of summer’s warmth, the days are mild, and those first frosts haven’t arrived yet,” the pro explained.
Clear fallen leaves
For his first suggestion, the gardening pro recommended clearing any fallen leaves sooner rather than later.
While crunchy leaves underfoot may look scenic and autumnal, they block out light, suffocating the grass and inviting slugs and snails to move in.
“By spring you’ll have bald patches on the lawn and an army of pests ready to cause havoc,” the expert warned.
Instead, he advised homeowners to gather the leaves up and turn them into a mould.
Simply bag them up with a few air holes, or pile them in a shady corner, and let nature do the work.
A year later you’ll have rich, crumbly compost, which is considered black gold for your beds and borders.
Protect tender plants
Tender plants rarely recover from an early onset of frost, so it’s important to take action.
“Every year gardeners lose plants they could easily have saved,” the pro said.
“The key is to move pots into a greenhouse, porch or even just up against a sunny wall where they’ll be shielded from the cold.”
And for plants that have to stay outside, he recommended mulching around the base to insulate the roots.
How to clean gardening tools before putting them away for autumn
Nick Ee, product and training manager at BLACK+DECKER spoke exclusively to Fabulous.
Nick says: “Garden tools often get put away at the end of summer without much thought, but components like lawnmower blades, string trimmer lines and pruners shouldn’t be overlooked. Paying attention to these details now will not only protect your equipment during the colder months but also make next year’s jobs far easier. Neglecting these areas can shorten tool lifespan, compromise performance, and ultimately create more work in the garden.”
- Lawnmower blades
“A sharp lawnmower blade is essential for a healthy, well-manicured lawn. Dull blades tend to tear rather than cut grass, leaving ragged edges that make the lawn more vulnerable to pests and disease. As a general rule, blades should be replaced every season or after around 25 hours of use. Before storing your mower away, check for signs of dullness, chips, or uneven cutting, and replace if needed. A quick clean and blade check now will save you hassle come spring.”
- String trimmer line
“Trimmer line naturally wears down, shortens, or frays with use, which can make achieving clean edges more difficult. I recommend replacing the line every few uses, or sooner if it begins to snap or fray. It’s always worth keeping spare line on hand so you’re not caught short. Before storing your trimmer, replace the line and wipe down the spool to prevent tangling or damage over winter.”
- Pruners
“Sharp, clean pruners make light work of cutting back shrubs, roses, and perennials, and help prevent damage to plant tissue. Before storing them away, clean off any sap or residue with warm soapy water, dry thoroughly, and oil the blades to prevent rust. If they’ve become blunt, sharpen them or replace the blade if your model allows. Storing them in a dry place will ensure they’re ready to go when spring growth arrives.”
“Horticultural fleece is also handy to have on standby for the coldest nights,” he added.
“Think of it as tucking your plants in with a blanket, it makes a real difference.”
Plant spring bulbs
September is also the best time to plan for your spring flowerbeds.
The soil’s still warm from summer, so bulbs settle in quickly and get a head start before the real cold sets in.
“Pop them in now and they’ll be ready to leap out of the ground just when you’re desperate for some cheer next spring,” the pro said.
“Crocuses and dwarf iris give you those first hints of life, daffodils and tulips carry the season, and alliums give you those big dramatic firework heads right at the end.”
And if you want to get clever, try layering bulbs in the same hole, with tulips at the bottom, daffs in the middle, and crocuses on top.
He described it as “the lasagne method”, explaining that “it means you get waves of colour from the same patch of soil.”
Cut back perennials
Giving your perennials a trim keeps your borders neat and helps to stop diseases from overwintering.
“It’s like sending your plants off for a haircut before the colder months,” the expert explained.
However, he warned against being too ruthless when it comes to this task.
“Seed heads on plants like echinacea and rudbeckia are a vital food source for birds,” he explained.
“They also catch the frost beautifully and bring shape to bare borders.”
He also suggested leaving ornamental grasses as “their stems shimmer in low winter light and add movement when everything else is still.”
The result is a garden that’s tidy enough to stay healthy, but not so stripped back that it loses all its winter character.
Prune trees and shrubs
The gardening expert explained that early autumn can be the perfect time to prune your shrubs (stock image)[/caption]
With the leaves gone it’s much easier to see the shape of your trees and shrubs.
This makes autumn the perfect time to prune your garden, and allows your plants to head into the winter strong.
Simply cut out any dead, damaged, or crossing branches so plants head into winter strong.
But don’t be tempted to prune everything as spring-flowering shrubs already have their buds in place.
“If you cut them back now, you’ll snip away next year’s flowers before they even get a chance,” the expert warned.
Check soil drainage
When plants don’t make it through the winter, most people blame frost but the real killer is soggy soil.
“Roots sitting in cold, wet ground will rot long before frost gets to them,” the gardening pro explained.
“Watch where water gathers after rain – and deal with it straight away.”
He revealed that a shallow channel or a mound of soil around tender plants is often enough.
“It’s a small job that saves a lot of heartbreak in spring.”
Look after your lawn
Early autumn is the prime time of the year to toughen your lawn up for winter (stock image)[/caption]
While your lawn may not be growing much right now, September and October are prime months to toughen it up for winter.
“Autumn lawn feed is different to the spring stuff,” the gardening pro explained.
“It’s lower in nitrogen but higher in potassium and phosphates, which strengthen the roots instead of pushing soft leaf growth.”
He also recommended scarifying to scratch out moss and thatch, aerating compacted areas, and giving the grass one last mow.
According to the pro, this should be just a little higher than your summer cut.
“Think of it as tucking your lawn in for its winter nap, when March comes, you’ll see the difference.”
Service your tools
And while it’s not strictly a gardening job, the expert also insisted that autumn is the perfect moment to service your gardening equipment.
“Blunt secateurs make messy cuts that spread disease, while petrol left in mowers over winter is a recipe for trouble when spring returns,” he warned.
“The solution is straightforward: clean off soil, sharpen blades, oil moving parts, and empty fuel tanks before storing anything away.”
More on gardening
Plus, five more flowers to plant now for a colourful bloom later in winter.
And the 13 red flags that could be ruining your garden during the winter.
Right now is also the best time to take hydrangea cuttings.
Plus, the five speedy plants to sow now to fill the gaps in your garden until winter.
And the top vegetables you should be sowing to harvest later this year.
