Essential Jobs to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

As the cooler days of October arrive, it's time to give your garden some care before winter fully sets in. From lawn maintenance to preparing your vegetable patch, here's a checklist tailored for the UK climate to help keep your garden or allotment in top shape:

Lawn Care

Autumn is a crucial time for lawn care, as it sets the stage for a healthy and vibrant garden come spring. The colder months can take a toll on your lawn, but with the right preparation, you can protect all the hard work you've put in throughout the year. Here are some essential tasks to focus on:

Clear fallen leaves and debris regularly to prevent disease and moss from building up.
Aerate your lawn with a garden fork to avoid waterlogging.
Mow less frequently and raise your mower blade to about 40mm to protect your grass.
Apply an autumn fertiliser to strengthen your lawn against the colder months.
Over-seed bare patches or sow a new lawn early in the month—just be mindful of the weather.

Trees, Shrubs, and Hedges

Checking trees and shrubs for wind damage is crucial in October, especially with storms and flooding becoming more frequent across the UK. Damaged branches can pose a serious risk to your property or personal safety, so it’s important to inspect and address any issues before they progress.

Inspect trees for wind damage and remove any split or damaged branches.
Clip conifer hedges lightly, avoiding frost where possible.
Plant evergreen hedges using a slow-release fertiliser like Arbor Gold.
Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs and ornamental trees for future planting.

Flower Beds and Borders

To keep your garden looking its best and ensure it comes back green and healthy in spring, it's essential to complete a few key tasks this autumn.

Cut back overgrown perennials and collect seeds from hardy perennials. Protect tender perennials from frost by potting them.
Weed control: Carry out your last round of weeding with a total weed killer before the frost sets in.
Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils and crocuses for a bright display next spring.

Fruit and Vegetable Patches

For those growing their own vegetables, autumn is the perfect time to harvest, plant, and protect any crops that need extra care before winter sets in.

Harvest pumpkins and expose them to the sun to harden their skins before storing.
Move tomato and pepper plants indoors to finish ripening.
Protect fruit trees (such as apple, plum, and pear) from winter moth caterpillars using grease bands or winter wash.
Decongest rhubarb crowns by dividing them to encourage fresh growth next year.

Rooftop Harvest: Tomatoes beginning to ripen

Slugs and Snails

With the increased moisture in autumn, slugs and snails become more active and can quickly become a nuisance. They often target tender leaves and vegetables, leaving your home grown veg inedible. To manage slugs and snails:

Remove them manually: Hand-picking in the evening when they are most active can reduce their numbers.
Barriers: You can create barriers using crushed eggshells or copper tape around plants.
Natural predators: Encourage natural predators like birds and hedgehogs to help keep the slug population down

Up-close with a slug: A detailed look at this slow-moving creature, revealing its intricate texture and essential role in nature's ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the best plants or vegetables to grow in autumn?

In the UK, autumn is a great time to plant hardy vegetables and spring bulbs. Some top choices include:

Garlic: Ideal for planting in October, garlic will be ready to harvest in summer.
Onions and shallots: Plant now for an early summer harvest.
Spring bulbs: Crocuses, daffodils, and tulips planted in autumn will provide beautiful blooms in spring.
Winter greens: Hardy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and cabbage thrive in the cooler weather and are perfect for autumn planting.

By taking the time to complete these seasonal tasks, you'll ensure that your garden remains healthy and vibrant, ready to flourish when spring returns. These steps will keep your garden in top condition over the colder months and ensure you're all set for a productive year ahead!

If you have any further questions about your landscaping or gardening needs, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help!

October Gardening Checklist