Once your garden has been professionally designed and landscaped, it will require regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Garden maintenance can feel overwhelming if you try to tackle it as a whole, so breaking it down into seasonal tasks can make it more manageable. With autumn well underway, now is the perfect time to focus on preparing your garden for the cooler months ahead.

Autumn Landscape Maintenance: Your Essential Guide

Autumn is an enjoyable time to be in the garden. With the soil retaining warmth from summer and cooler air temperatures, it’s an ideal time to undertake various gardening tasks before winter sets in.

6 Essential Autumn Gardening Tips

1. Fertilise Your Lawn
   Apply a slow-release fertiliser to strengthen your lawn before winter. This promotes robust root development, helping the grass withstand cooler temperatures.

2. Mulch Garden Beds
   Adding a layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like bark or straw also enrich the soil as they decompose.

3. Compost Fallen Leaves
   Instead of discarding autumn leaves, compost them to create nutrient-rich leaf mould, beneficial for garden beds.

4. Prune Trees and Shrubs
   Remove dead or diseased branches to improve plant health and shape. However, avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering plants, as this may reduce blooms.

5. Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
   Now is the time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and jonquils for a vibrant spring display. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent rot.

6. Introduce Winter Vegetables
   Consider planting vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale. These crops thrive in cooler temperatures and will be ready for harvest in the coming months.

Other Important Garden Maintenance Jobs

Autumn weather allows you to spend more time outside. It’s not too hot or too cold, so you can catch up on all your maintenance before winter sets in. Here are some additional tasks to tackle:

Tool Maintenance: Clean, sharpen and disinfect gardening tools to prolong their lifespan and prevent the spread of diseases.

Lawn Care: Rake up any remaining leaves to prevent lawn diseases and consider aerating compacted soil to improve water and nutrient absorption.

Prepare New Garden Beds: Autumn is an excellent time to establish new garden beds, allowing soil to settle before spring planting.

Another enjoyable DIY project is building a garden bed. Before you decide on a location, consider what you want to plant because different species require different levels of sun and shade. If you're unsure, a landscape designer can help you incorporate a new garden bed into your overall garden design.

Autumn is also a great time to give your outdoor space a makeover. If you’re considering new landscaping, now is the perfect opportunity to plan ahead. Talk to the Insight Landscapes team about how to refresh your garden for the upcoming seasons.

By addressing these tasks during autumn, your garden will be well-prepared for the winter months and set to flourish in spring!