The leaves are changing colour. Autumn has really set in. That means a lot of raking, but do not remove all the leaves. Leaves protect plants against frost, they will decompose and provide nutrients to the soil and they are a source of food and protection for birds, insects, hedgehogs and other animals.
Lawn
- Remove the fallen leaves from the lawn and throw them into the borders for frost protection.
- Mow the lawn one last time and cut the edges.
- This is the last chance to sow grass seed or lay turf.
- If you have fed the lawn in July then you can feed the lawn for the last time this year.
- Test the pH level of the soil. A pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 is best. Moss and many weeds grow well in acidic soil. Their presence is a sign that the soil pH has become too low. Use lime to increase the soil’s pH, make the soil less acidic and more alkaline. Use sulfur to lower the pH. Do not use lime if you have just fed the lawn. The fertiliser will neutralise the effect of the lime. Wait 4 to 6 weeks after using fertiliser.
Harvest
- Harvest apples, pears, nuts and grapes.
- Harvest seeds and store them somewhere dark and dry.
Planting, moving and sowing
- You can buy and plant spring-flowering bulbs. Generally you can do this until December if the weather is mild.
- You can still sow hardy annuals and perennials directly in the garden in mild areas.
- This is a good time to plant perennials. They have time to develop enough roots to survive the winter.
- This is also a good time to move and plant trees, hedges and shrubs.
- Look at which perennials did not grow very well and (re)move them. If a perennial did not grow well for some time it may be a waste of time to keep trying. There are enough plants that may grow well in that spot.
- You can move and divide perennials. Ornamental grasses are best moved and divided in springtime.
- Move tender plants into a greenhouse or conservatory.
- Order and plant bare-root trees and shrubs. They are cheaper than containerised plants. This may be interesting, especially if you want to plant large numbers.
- Plants, shrubs, hedges and trees in containers can be planted all year round.
Pruning
- Prune raspberries after harvesting. The canes that have carried the fruits may be cut to the ground.
- Prune climbing roses.
- Trim you hedges one last time if not done last month.
- Leave some garden areas uncut, a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden.
Other
- Do not clean up too much in the garden. There many insects and animals that may want to hide under the leaves and between faded perennials to overwinter. The leaves and faded remains of perennials also help protect the perennials against the frost and they also provide nutrition for perennials, trees and shrubs as they rot.
- Lift tender bulbs, tubers and tuberous roots.
- Cut off the water supply to outside water tap and let out the remaining water to avoid frost damage.
- Empty the garden hose and store it away.
- Remove weeds.
- Remove stakes and other supports.
- Keep watching out for diseases.
- Protect tender plants and newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from cold winds and frost. You can use straw mats or bubble wrap for example. Do not leave the materials for too long because that may cause rots. Dry mulch or dead leaves can be used to protect the roots.
- Do not feed the plants anymore because this may encourage fungal diseases to develop.
- Check if the ties around the trees are not too tight or too loose. Storms may come.
- Put out food for birds and other animals. Regularly clean the feeding area with hot water to prevent the spreading of diseases.