Your Autumn Garden Clean-Up Checklist!
As the days grow shorter and the crispness of autumn sets in, it's time to give our beloved gardens the seasonal care they need before winter takes hold. Having tended my garden in Tetbury for many years, I’ve learned that preparing your garden for winter is just as important as spring planting. A well-executed autumn garden clean-up ensures that, come next year, your garden will bloom beautifully and thrive.
To help you on your way, here’s my autumn garden checklist, full of practical garden tips to get your outdoor space ready for the off-season. Whether you're an experienced green thumb or a beginner, these garden maintenance tips will make the process simple and efficient.
1. Tidy Up and Trim Back
As autumn progresses, many plants begin to die back naturally. Now is the perfect time to prune, cut back, and remove any spent blooms or leaves. However, be mindful! Some perennials and grasses benefit from being left in place over winter, providing a little extra habitat for wildlife, and they can add structure to your winter garden.
I usually trim my lavender and hydrangeas at this time of year. However, I avoid pruning roses too harshly until late winter to prevent frost damage. Just a light tidy will do for now. For a full guide on what plants to cut back now, check out this helpful RHS pruning guide.
Pictured above, the new Ecopots from Gardenesque - frostproof and excellent to move around the garden (they've got wheels!) when you're tidying up.
2. Lift and Divide Perennials
Autumn is an excellent time to lift and divide perennials. Plants like hostas, daylilies, and peonies can become overcrowded, reducing their performance. I find it quite satisfying, dividing them up and gifting the extras to friends or simply replanting them elsewhere in the garden.
It’s a lovely way to keep your garden thriving and healthy without spending a fortune. Simply dig around the plant and gently pull it apart, ensuring each section has roots attached. Replant in a freshly prepared bed, and water in well. Even as the beds quiet down for winter, a few carefully placed plant pots with evergreen shrubs can keep your space looking lively.
3. Protect Your Soil
Your soil is the foundation of everything, and it deserves as much care as your plants. I always make a point of spreading a generous layer of organic mulch over my borders. This helps to suppress winter weeds and protects the soil from erosion caused by rain and frost. It also breaks down over time, enriching the soil ready for spring planting.
I always make a point of spreading a generous layer of organic compost from Gardenesque over my borders. – it's rich, dark, and full of nutrients. And if you haven’t started a compost pile yet, now's a great time to begin!
4. Clear Out Weeds
Yes, weeding. I know it’s no one’s favourite task, but it makes all the difference. By removing as many weeds as possible now, you reduce the number of weed seeds lying dormant in your soil, waiting to sprout up in spring.
This time of year, I find bindweed and creeping buttercup tend to take advantage of the milder autumn weather. Do your best to dig out the roots rather than just the top growth. It’s a bit of a slog, but future you will be so grateful come next March! For more information on controlling weeds, check out this Gardener's World weeding guide.
Pictured above, my Gardenesque Queen Bench I love using in the colder months.
5. Prepare Your Lawn
Don’t neglect your lawn! This is the perfect time for a final mow, ensuring it’s not too short, as this can stress the grass over winter. Aim for about 5-7cm, which allows the lawn to protect itself from frost without looking scraggly.
I also aerate my lawn with a garden fork, making small holes to allow air and nutrients to penetrate down to the roots. If you’ve got the time, a light feed with autumn lawn fertiliser can help keep it healthy too. Once the lawn is aerated and ready for winter, I enjoy arranging my garden furniture to create a cosy space for autumn.
6. Tidy Up Borders and Beds
I always give my borders a good tidy around this time. Remove any debris, like fallen leaves or broken stems, which can harbour pests or diseases. However, I leave a few piles of leaves in corners for hibernating creatures such as hedgehogs.
A little extra effort now goes a long way in keeping your garden healthy over the colder months.
Pictured above, frost proof Verona Pots from Gardenesque.
7. Bring in Tender Plants
Tender plants that won’t survive the frost, such as dahlias, begonias, or geraniums, need extra care. I dig up my dahlia tubers and store them in a frost-free shed until next spring. If you don’t have space to store plants, try using fleece to cover them during particularly frosty nights.
I always enjoy this part of the garden clean-up. It feels like tucking the garden in for the winter! Using frost-resistant plant pots from Gardenesque can help your tender plants stay safe from the chill.
8. Clean and Store Your Tools
Lastly, don’t forget your tools. A good clean and oiling will help them last longer and perform better next year. I always make a point of sharpening my secateurs and cleaning out the greenhouse thoroughly before winter sets in. It’s a job I like to tick off before the days get too short and cold.
This is also a great time to check any outdoor furniture or features. Clean, repair, and cover them if necessary to keep them in good condition.
A Little Personal Reflection
I always find this time of year a bit bittersweet. There’s something rewarding about putting the garden to bed, knowing you’ve done everything you can to prepare for the months ahead. But it’s also a moment of reflection, a pause before the garden bursts back into life next spring.
Each autumn, as I complete my clean-up, I can’t help but smile, thinking of how the garden will reward me again next year – and perhaps with a little less weeding thanks to all the work done now!
If you’ve got any questions about preparing your garden for winter, do pop them in the comments below. I love hearing from fellow gardeners and helping in any way I can.
Happy gardening, and remember, a little work now will make all the difference come spring!
