Gardening tips for early autumn

As the summer draws to a close there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden to prepare for autumn. Try these simple tips

Summer is not quite over and we may well be blessed with a warm September and October so pottering around in the garden is still a pleasurable and constructive way to spend time outdoors. There's plenty of work to do as summer fades - summer bedding may be looking past its best, summer shrubs still need to be pruned and you need to think about spring bedding. Here are our top tips for early autumn gardening...

driveway with autumn tree

(Image credit: TBC)
  • Winter bulbs should be planted - think anemones, bluebells, snowdrops, daffodils, tulips and crocuses
  • Make sure beds are thoroughly dug and fertilised before planting
  • Fill borders with autumn flowering plants such as sedum and chrysanthemum which will provide colour later in the season
  • Plant new perennials in September as the soil is still warm but there is more rainfall
  • Rake the lawn thoroughly to remove thatch
  • Damaged areas should be spiked, fertilised and re-seeded
  • Raise the height of your mower blades as grass growth will have slowed down
  • Continue to prune and dead head summer plants
  • Harvest and prune fruit trees - pick off any rotting fruit that will spread disease if left on the tree
  • House plants that have been outside during the summer should be brought in before the first frost
Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.