What you do to a UK garden in autumn largely decides how it looks come spring. Cold, wet weather is unforgiving on a lawn and borders that haven’t been prepped, while an hour or two of maintenance now heads off a lot of work later. Here’s a room-by-room — or rather, bed-by-bed — checklist for the season.
Lawn care
- Scarify: rake out thatch and moss so air, water and nutrients can reach the roots
- Aerate: spike compacted areas (especially high-traffic patches) to improve drainage before winter rain sets in
- Last mow of the season: raise the blade height gradually and stop mowing once growth slows, usually by late autumn
- Clear fallen leaves regularly: a thick layer left on the lawn blocks light and encourages fungal problems
Borders and beds
- Cut back dead and dying perennials, but leave seed heads and structural stems that provide winter interest and shelter for wildlife where you can
- Lift and store tender bulbs (dahlias, gladioli) that won’t survive frost in the ground
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs — tulips, daffodils and crocuses — while the soil is still workable
- Mulch bare soil with compost or bark to protect roots and suppress weeds over winter
Trees, shrubs and hedges
- Prune deciduous trees and shrubs once they’re dormant, avoiding species that should only be pruned in summer
- Check ties and stakes on younger trees before winter winds arrive
- Wrap or fleece tender or newly planted shrubs ahead of the first hard frost
Hard landscaping and structures
- Clear gutters and drains of leaves to prevent overflow and damp damage to walls
- Check fences, gates and sheds for damage before winter storms
- Clean and store garden furniture, or cover it if it stays outside
- Sweep and check patios and paths for algae, which becomes a slip hazard in wet weather
Tools and equipment
Clean, dry and oil tools before storing them for winter, and get the mower serviced now rather than in the spring rush when every gardener in the area is booking the same slot.
How Magna Staff can help
Not every garden job needs to be a DIY weekend project. We provide regular and one-off garden maintenance across London, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Stevenage, Luton and Milton Keynes — from a single autumn tidy-up to ongoing seasonal upkeep. Get in touch for a free quote.