Autumn for gardeners

Autumn is a vibrant time of year with crisp, dewy mornings and the changing of tree leaves into rich colours of red and gold that glow in the buttery yellow light. The air becomes damper and decidedly musty as winter approaches and dormancy begins — a natural part of the life cycle of many plants. The deciduous katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) begins to release its delicious toffee apple scent and reminds us that autumn is a time of harvest. This time of year presents moments of reflection in the garden, when successes can be celebrated and improvements considered.

Here are a few tips on how to tend to your garden during the autumn months in preparation for winter.

Lawns

Raise the height of cut on mowers as lawn growth slows
The soil is still warm enough to sow or turf new lawns
Scarify and aerate lawns to improve drainage on compacted soils and promote healthy growth
Apply a top dress to even out levels which will keep roots healthy over winter
Keep off lawns in frosty weather

Flower borders

Cut back herbaceous plants and tidy for winter
Lift and store dahlia tubers and summer-flowering bulbs
Plant new borders and lift and divide overgrown herbaceous perennials
Pot up ‘free’ rogue seedling perennials for next year’s displays
Plant spring bedding, including lily and tulip bulbs
Plant out spring-flowering biennials
Cultivate new beds before winter rain

Roses

Prune rambling and climbing roses when flowers are over
Take hardwood cuttings
Prune shrub roses to prevent wind rock

Shrubs and trees

Plant new trees, shrubs and climbers
Transplant shrubs
Winter prune deciduous trees, shrubs, and fruit trees, and renovate hedges
Take hardwood cuttings

Ponds

Keep ponds clear of autumn leaves
Tidy of spent growth of aquatic plants
Keep pond and water features from freezing over