How To Get Your Garden Winter Ready at The End of Summer

Hopefully you will have been able to enjoy more than a few days of warm summer in your garden this year, but as autumn starts to make its presence felt you know it is time to start carrying out certain tasks to make sure you get through the next winter with minimal damage to your plants and crops.

We have highlighted some of those tasks to help you prepare a checklist.

Make sure you pick any remaining produce

After a good few weeks and months of growth, your vegetable and fruit plants will be beginning to ‘turn’. It is crucial not to leave any produce rotting on the plants, as these could attract unwanted pests, so make sure you go around removing any last produce growth.  

At the same time, save seeds from heirloom and non-hybrid plants for planting next season.

Give your flower beds a good clear up

Your flower beds will probably be full of plants and flowers which are past their summer bloom and drying up as they sense the autumn chill in the air. To give them the best chance of regrowth next season, pull up any dead or dying plants and compost healthy ones. Dispose of diseased plants properly to avoid spreading pathogens.

Remove weeds to prevent them from seeding and taking over in the spring, and generously spread mulch into the flower beds to protect root growth and prevent frost damage.

Replenish the soil with essential nutrients

Your soil will have gone through a lot over the last few months, optimising and absorbing as much as it can from the sun and surrounding environment. Give it a helping hand over the winter months by digging in compost and manure.

By adding these nutrient rich organic matter your soil will maintain good fertility over the winter months, protecting those roots and plants which remain dormant during the chill.  

Clear away any debris and leaf fall

As autumn sets in there will be more and more debris scattered across your garden, either from falling leaves and twigs, or debris brought in by strong winds. Try and keep on top of this over the winter by sweeping up the debris using an artificial grass electric brush or similar piece of equipment that can be applied across all ground covering types.

Take Care of Perennials

Take some pruning secateurs to your perennials. Cut back any perennials that require pruning to encourage healthy growth in spring. It prevents pests or diseases overwintering with your plants.

Take some time to divide and transplant and spring or summer perennials. Autumn is the perfect time to do this as it gives the plants time to set new roots and establish themselves over the winter, ready for spring growth.

Prepare and Store Tools

Clean, sharpen and oil your tools to prevent rust and ensure they’re ready for next season. Store them in a dry, protected area to extend their lifespan.

Watering System Maintenance

Drain hoses and irrigation systems to prevent freezing and damage. Coil and store garden hoses indoors to protect them from winter weather.

Protect Sensitive Plants

Move potted plants that can’t withstand the cold indoors. Use frost cloths or covers for sensitive plants that remain outside.

Plan for Next Season

Carrying out these jobs will give you precious head space to think and plan your garden for the year ahead. Reflect on what grew well and what didn’t to help you in making decisions for next year’s planting.

While winter is a quieter time in the gardening calendar, there is still plenty to be done to ensure the next spring and summer season blooms with abundance. Enjoy the downtime as a research and planning stage, and your garden will thank you with its abundant produce and beautiful displays.