As summer ends, our minds turn to the cold and wet of autumn and winter. Looking after your garden throughout this time of year means completing several gardening jobs – here’s what you need to do.
The heat of summer can be tough on your garden and so, in many ways, autumn is welcome by the time it rolls around. It gives you a chance to correct issues and rejuvenate your greenery.
Naturally, winter arrives soon after. While there are many wonderful winter plants that flourish in the cold, there are many plants that don't enjoy the chilly weather.
Here, we’ll go through the most essential autumn and winter gardening jobs. By doing these tasks, we’re giving our more sensitive plants the best chance of getting through winter and prospering in the spring. We’ll also be keeping our spaces and tools neat and tidy!
There are plenty of gardening jobs to think about during autumn and winter. To make sure you're ticking tasks off, and doing so in the right, we've spoken to Philip Clayton.
Philip is a plantsman, gardener, author and freelance garden writer with a plant-filled garden in Peterborough.
A member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Group, he spent 20 years at The Garden (the RHS magazine), latterly as Deputy Editor.
Prior to this, he worked as a landscaper, a role which followed practical training at RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey. He also has a BSc Hons in Horticulture from Wye College in Kent.
His books include A Plant For Every Day Of The Year (2022), Grow: Roses (2024) and Parched (2024). He also currently works as gardener at The Manor Hemingford Grey, near Huntingdon.
Philip's rich experience can help guide you towards a happier and healthier garden. Let's look and what needs doing, and how to get each task right.
In the autumn, gardening jobs have two main focuses: recovering from the heat of summer and preparing for a cool winter and the year beyond. These are the tasks that need your attention.
Prepare your lawn for winter
Summer is a challenging period for lawns. Hot, dry conditions can lead to bare patches and parched root systems. Autumn is the time to set things right.
Explaining, Philip confirms autumn can be a productive period for gardeners.
“During Autumn, the ground is warm and moist and plants have a chance to establish well before winter. They tend to establish better in autumn, rather than spring, when the weather is often too hot and dry.”
You’ll need to rake up fallen leaves, aerate the lawn, apply top dressing, mow the grass, and feed the lawn. It’s also the time to reseed and lay turf – if the surface looks patchy.
Getting autumn lawn care right can be tricky. Treatment will vary depending on the state of your lawn. For an in-depth look at what to do, check out our guide on autumn lawn care in 7 steps.
Insulate tender plants
As leaves start falling and there’s more icy frost, your garden’s tender plants become more vulnerable. They need protection from frost, gales, and freezing rains, or they could decline rapidly.
Explaining, Philip says “If a plant is ‘tender’ it’s generally the cold or the frost we’re talking about. Damage can be worse during the winter, due to winter wetness.”
What does this mean? Now is the perfect time to move your tender plants into a greenhouse or sheltered spot.
If you can’t move them, wrap your plants or pots in fleece instead. This gives them a defence against the cold, but you'll need to remove these covers during milder periods.
You can even protect roots from the cold by covering them with compost or leaf mould. A thick layer of chippings or fallen leaves are both decent alternatives, as long as they’re around 10 cm deep.
The cold is a real danger to tender plants during winter, but torrential rain is a concern, too. Waterlogged plants can sustain serious damage if drainage isn't up to scratch.
Protect potted plants
In the cold and freezing temperatures of winter, potted plants are the most vulnerable.
They don't have the insulation plants in the ground enjoy and, in extreme temperatures, there's a real danger compost can actually freeze.
Reiterating this point, Philip says “Potted plants are more vulnerable to the cold, I would recommend wrapping in hessian, fleece or recycled bubble wrap.
"But you can stand pots immediately next to house walls to keep them dry and sheltered. On really cold nights put them in a porch or garage.”
Beyond that, potted plants can get soggy – with drowned, rotten roots – if you leave them out in the rain.
When planning for winter, make sure all your pots have drainage holes and raise them off the ground. This leaves space for excess water to run off.
You can also shield potted plants next to tall garden and house walls. This should provide decent shelter from the wind and rain.
When plants are unlikely to survive the frost (tropicals and palms come to mind), bring them indoors. A greenhouse would be ideal, but your shed, garage, or home is suitable too.
Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials
In the UK, autumn is broadly considered the best time to plant most trees, shrubs, and perennials.
This is largely because earth is warm and moist, and plants still have time to settle before the cold of winter creeps in.
That contrasts with spring – a time previously believed to have been more suitable for planting – when plants are treated to hot, dry weather that makes establishing themselves difficult.
Use fallen leaves for leaf mould
During autumn, you’ll rake up plenty of leaves. But this isn’t just waste material, you can use it to create a valuable resource – leaf mould.
Leaf mould is a nutritious covering that protects plants and their roots from harsh weather while enriching the soil. These nutrients will help boost growth in the months ahead.
It can help stem weeds and help you avoid using potentially harmful chemical weed killers. Plenty of positives!
Of course, you might not have any leaf mould to hand that you can use as mulch, since it takes up to and beyond two years to develop leaf mould from decaying leaves.
Instead, consider preparing garden compost from a compost heap, which only takes a few months to prepare, and provides plenty of value as a mulch and soil nourishment.
If you’re not familiar with this useful material, read our guide on how to make leaf mould yourself.
Naturally, this isn't a last-minute solution. Philip says “If you’re just starting to make leaf mould, you won’t have any for several years.
"Garden compost, from a compost heap, can be ready in just a few months and is a useful way of getting organic matter into the soil, while you’re waiting for your leaf mould.”
Pro tip: for any waste material that isn't suitable for re-use, read our guide on the best garden waste removal options.
Plant spring and summer-flowering plants now
For a luscious garden filled with thriving plants and flowers next year, start preparing now.
You should plant spring-flowering bulbs – like daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths – by the end of September. That goes for both borders and containers. The flowers will start blooming in April.
You can plant hardier summer-flowering bulbs – such as lilies, alliums, and crocosmia – in September and October, too. For the best results, pick a warm, sunny spot with good drainage.
As we move into November, it’s time to plant tulips. This later planting time helps reduce the risk of tulip fire – a fungal disease that affects the growth of tulip leaves.
If you plant all these bulbs properly, you can expect to enjoy a vibrant, colourful garden next spring and summer.
Reminding us, Philip says “Many plants need cold weather to flower properly the following year, and don’t forget there are also plenty of delightful winter flowering plants which you can enjoy before spring arrives.”
Maintain your pond
A well-maintained pond is a boon for your garden's wildlife, but it needs careful management. This doesn't just ensure you have an attractive pond, but that it's a healthy habitat.
Autumn is perfect for pond maintenance, since adult insects are hibernating and young amphibians will have left.
Take the chance to clear old leaves from the pond, since leaf decay could cause problems. Remove other excess vegetation, then consider netting your pond with a high-strength mesh.
A decent mesh should survive even the harshest winter weather, while stopping leaves and other debris from entering your pond.
Clean out your gutters
Autumn is the season of falling leaves. Inevitably, many of these leaves end up in your gutters.
This is not a one-and-done task, you’ll probably have to do this several times throughout autumn. A final clear-out of the guttering is a must before winter sets in.
Otherwise, heavier rains could lead to breakages (and costly gutter repairs!).
Clearing out guttering can be hazardous. It's particularly awkward if you don’t have the right tools. You can save yourself some hassle by hiring a gutter cleaning service instead.
Thankfully, the cost of gutter cleaning is not particularly high.
Remember: if you don't keep on top of gutter maintenance, you might have to pay the cost of replacing gutters instead!
Treat wooden fences and doors
Winter’s heavy rainfall can have a damaging effect on wooden items.
You can protect your wooden doors, fences, and window frames with rainproof wood stains. This should put an end to any warping or cracking. It’ll also safeguard your wood from the sun when summer sets in.
Applying wood stains works best during a period of dry weather, so try getting to this in early autumn.
Remember: if you fail to keep your doors well conditioned, you'll have to cover the cost of new doors instead.
This is also a good time to repair your fences, too, if any are in a state of decay. Winter's weather will only cause more damage!
Store your outdoor furniture
Once the warmer weather has passed, it’s time to put away your furniture.
Barbecues and decking or patio furniture need shelter from the rain. By doing this, you’ll keep them looking their best for next summer.
As always, cleaning down your barbecue and outdoor furniture so they’re ready for next year is smart.
If you don’t have space to store them indoors, keep them out of the wet using a quality cover. Placing them on bricks is a good idea, too.
Winter has arrived. It’s colder and wetter, and presents challenges for many plants, trees, and shrubs. Naturally, that's not always the case.
Many plants need cold weather and will only flower the following year after experiencing it. There are also many wonderful winter flowering plants, like pansies and snowdrops, which can add colour to your garden each winter.
Keep your garden happy and healthy during the winter months by getting to these essential tasks.
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs
You might think planting stops during the colder winter months, but that's not entirely true. In fact, winter is a wonderful time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs.
Plants can establish themselves well – perhaps even more effectively using this method – and you won't need to use resources like plastic pots and potting compost. That's money saved, right there!
You should consider planting bare-root roses during this time, in particular. One of the UK's favourite plants, roses do well when planted in late autumn and late winter. Avoid planting during the middle of winter, when the ground freezes.
You'll also be able to prune roses during late winter, just as growth is resuming. You can start in mid-to-late February in the south, but consider waiting until March for colder areas further north.
Emphasising the importance of this period, Philip says “Winter is a key time for pruning roses. Roses respond better to pruning in the winter and will grow back vigorously the following spring.”
Store garden hoses and turn off outside taps
You won’t find yourself doing much watering during winter!
It’s best to put away your garden hose and turn off the water to the outside taps. If you don’t, water could freeze in your pipes, which is far from ideal.
Disconnect your hose at the start of winter. Make sure to drain any residual water, then store it in your garden shed or garage.
Adding to this, Philip says “You might feel tempted to empty out your water butts during the winter. But this is when we get most of our rainfall and temperatures are rarely low enough to freeze the whole butt solid.”
Replace your outdoor lights
The days are short in winter. Getting around your outdoor spaces can be a little more hazardous if you’re moving about in the dark.
If you have any outdoor lighting, make sure the bulbs haven’t died. For those that have, make replacing them a priority.
This is even more important around entrances or steps, where injuries are much more likely.
Put away your garden tools
Avoid water damage by storing your garden tools – like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers – in a dry space.
Professional gardeners advise cleaning your gardening tools and equipment after each use to maintain performance. If that's not a habit you keep up, make sure you clean them before putting them away for winter!
Make sure you drain any leftover fuel from petrol-powered machines, too. It doesn’t keep and could cause mechanical problems next year.
You might also consider sending your tools for servicing with a lawnmower repair professional while you’re not using them.
Feed the birds
You know winter is here when you start seeing robins in your garden. But birds won’t visit unless you make them feel welcome.
The avian community is much more likely to visit if you install bird feeders in your garden. You can choose from a variety of stylish and affordable bird feeders.
Remember to place them carefully so only birds can reach them. Struggling to create a bird-friendly space? Read our guide on how to make your garden welcoming for birds in winter.
Order seeds for spring
As we keep moving through winter, you can start planning for spring. It’s the ideal time to go through your plans and get the seeds you’ll need in the springtime.
You can order seeds online, through catalogues, or by visiting your local garden centre instead.
Winter prune your fruit trees
It’s safe to prune your fruit trees since they’re dormant during the winter.
Get rid of any dead or diseased wood. You should also use some careful pruning to untangle branches that are rubbing against or crossing each other.
This will promote a more stable tree with stronger growth in the year ahead (and that means more fruit too!).
Different types of fruit trees need cutting at different times during winter. If you’re ever unsure, always check with a professional.
Pro tip: not sure when to prune your trees? Read our guide on optimal tree pruning times for help timing your interventions.
There’s a lot of garden maintenance to handle throughout autumn and winter. But if you put in the work, you’ll reap the rewards come spring and summer.
If this all sounds like too much work – at times, it’s a lot! – hiring a gardening service is always an option. It's a straightforward process, but if you're unsure, read the latest gardening tips, tricks, and hiring advice.
To find the right help, browse your local professionals or post a free enquiry today – it's the quickest way to get in touch with interested businesses.