As summer fades and the days begin to cool, autumn is the perfect time to slow down, tidy up and prepare your garden for the months ahead.
From refreshing your pots to pruning and planting, a little preparation now can help your garden stay healthy throughout winter.
1. Give Your Garden a Tidy
Clear away fallen leaves, dead flowers and damaged foliage. Remove weeds while they're still small and give garden beds a good tidy-up.
Don't forget your balcony or courtyard — sweep away debris and clean your pots to give your outdoor space a fresh start for the season.
2. Refresh Your Plants
Autumn is a great time to assess your plants and remove anything that has struggled through summer.
Check for pests, damaged leaves and plants that have outgrown their pots. If roots are becoming crowded, consider repotting into a larger container.
3. Refresh Your Soil
After a busy growing season, your soil may need a little attention.
Add compost or a quality soil improver to garden beds, and refresh the potting mix in containers where needed. Healthy soil provides a strong foundation for plants as temperatures drop.
4. Adjust Your Watering
As the weather cools, plants generally need less water than they did during summer.
Check the moisture in the soil before watering and adjust your routine according to the weather and the needs of each plant. Good drainage is particularly important during the cooler, wetter months.
5. Add Autumn Colour
Autumn doesn't mean your garden has to lose its colour.
Introduce seasonal flowers and colourful foliage, or choose evergreen plants that will continue to provide structure throughout the cooler months.
Pots are an easy way to add colour without making permanent changes to your garden.
6. Prune Where Needed
Autumn can be a good time to remove dead, damaged or overgrown growth from many plants.
Avoid heavy pruning unless you know it's appropriate for the particular variety. A light tidy can be enough to keep plants looking healthy and encourage strong growth when spring arrives.
7. Prepare for Winter
Take a look around your outdoor space before winter arrives.
Check that pots are stable, drainage holes are clear and plants that are sensitive to cold are positioned in a more protected spot.
For balconies and exposed areas, consider wind exposure as well as temperature when deciding where to position your plants.
Your Autumn Garden Checklist
✓ Clear leaves and weeds
✓ Remove dead or damaged growth
✓ Check plants for pests
✓ Refresh soil and potting mix
✓ Adjust your watering routine
✓ Add seasonal colour
✓ Prune where appropriate
✓ Prepare plants and pots for winter
Autumn is all about preparation. Take a little time now to tidy, refresh and reset your garden, and you'll be rewarded with a healthier outdoor space when spring rolls around again.
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