The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are getting lower and the garden season is slowly coming to an end. But there is still plenty to do. The more work you do in autumn, the more pleasant and easier the start of the new garden year in spring will be. Take a look at 4 tasks that the autumn months are perfect for.
Cleaning the beds
The greens have been harvested and the flowers are slowly coming into bloom. Remove any deadheading, prune perennials and, if necessary, dispose of the remains of annuals. Get rid of the vegetable debris and take it to the compost heap where it will later be turned into nutrients for the next generation of plants. You can’t avoid clearing away foils, tomato support poles and similar elements.
Preparing the soil for winter
During the winter, certain processes take place in the soil that have a positive effect on increasing the fertility and availability of individual nutrients. Rested soil provides better starting conditions for the coming season. Pay particular attention to beds where you grow vegetables with higher nutrient requirements.
What is involved in preparing the soil for winter:
- Remove plant debris and weeds
- Till green manure or add calcium
- Till the soil with a cultivator or spade
Don’t forget the lawn
You can’t forget about the lawn either. It may not grow as fast in autumn, but you can still get a few mowings in. Autumn is a good time to apply fertiliser and aerate your lawn. Remove grass clippings during these months to prevent the development of mould. Rather, make sure you aerate and remove moss.
Spring planting
The autumn months mean preparing for spring flowering. So start planting daffodils, tulips and hyacinths in autumn for colourful and fragrant flowers in spring. At the same time, these are not the only flowers to plant at this time of year. Marigolds, for example, are a good example, and you can add a variety of containerised perennials to your beds.