7 Autumn Gardening Tips to Help your Garden Thrive and Prepare it for Winter

Crisp mornings are here with shorter days, changing light and new plants springing to life, while others die off. The autumn months are the best time to get planting with new trees and plants and to take care of your existing garden for the winter months ahead.

In this blog we check out some tips to help your garden flourish during this ideal growing and maintenance season. From improving soil to pruning and planting new trees and plants, there are many jobs to be done now. Let’s take a look at some of them.

IMPROVE YOUR SOIL

Autumn is the best time improve your garden soil, starting with understanding the type of soil you have so you know what nutrients to add to improvement it. Adding organic matter like compost or manure as a start and mix it in well with the existing soil. This helps improve the quality of your soil and makes it ready for additional planting when spring rolls around.

GET MULCHING

Another autumn gardening task is to mulch. Mulching your garden in autumn helps to protect your plants from the cold winter months and provides much needed nutrients. Mulching also helps keep the soil moist and healthy, which is especially important during winter, a slower growing time. Mulch comes in many different types, so be sure to choose one that will be compatible with your soil type and plant types.

PLANT NEW TREES AND PLANTS

Autumn an excellent time to plant new trees or shrubs, so long as the soil is reasonably moist. We can help you out there. Check out our range. Autumn planting has the benefit of giving plants several months to establish before the hot weather returns later in the year.

To really get the best results with your planting, it’s important to prepare the soil well. No matter your soil type you’ll need to regularly add organic matter. This might be manure (make sure it’s fully broken down so that you don’t burn the roots), fertiliser or compost. This adds nutrients into your soil and feeds your soil vital microorganisms. It’s these microorganisms that do the hard work to ensure your soil structure has the right balance of water retention, drainage and nutrition for your plants to thrive and grow well. 

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Give your citrus trees a little late summer / early autumn attention. Feed them now with a plant food that’s specially formulated for citrus. These formulas contain the best range of trace elements your plants need. Be sure to water in well before and after application, spreading the fertiliser around the zone beneath the outer branches known as the dripline area. While you’re at it check for pests and apply the right insecticide for the bug that’s made your citrus home.

TRIM AND PRUNE HEDGES AND PLANTS

Pruning stimulates new growth and so Autumn is a great time to trim hedges before the onset of winter to keep them compact and bushy from ground level. The reason for this growth is because a chemical is contained in each terminal bud, or leader, and once you’ve removed them, it allows the buds below to break. This means a much bushier plant. But don’t make the mistake of pruning back everything in the garden, because if you do you might miss spring blossoms. 

Tip: Be sure to check the instructions of your particular plant as not all plants need or benefit from autumn pruning.

GET YOUR LAWN BOWLING GREEN LUSH

Now is the time to feed the lawn because the grass growth is slowing down with colder nights, but the roots are still growing well. This means it’s a great time for repair as the soil is still warm. Use a slow release lawn food to stimulate a strong root system and thicker grass.

Autumn is also a top time to plant new lawn seeds. Before sowing seed, remove stones and difficult weeds and you will end up with a lush green cover over winter.

KEEP ON TOP OF FALLEN LEAVES

Transfer the leaves that fall on your autumn garden and lawn to the compost bin on a regular basis, otherwise they will smother your plants and grass. Rake leaves up and compost or use it as a mulch in garden beds. Well-rotted leaf litter is nutrient rich and extremely beneficial to garden soil.

Autumn gardening can help your garden to flourish and produce well as the temperatures dip, preparing it perfectly for the winter ahead and even the summer months. With a bit of effort and care, your garden will be looking beautiful and healthy, ready for the year ahead. 

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