š Early Autumn Jobs in the Garden š
š Making the Most of the Mellow Season š
As the vibrant energy of Summer begins to soften, early Autumn in the UK presents a wonderful opportunity to set your garden up for success next Spring. The air is often crisp, the light golden and the soil still warm - perfect conditions for a variety of rewarding tasks. So, grab your gloves and a cuppa, and let's explore some essential jobs to tackle in your garden this mellow season.
1. Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
One of the best early Autumn jobs is planting spring-flowering bulbs. Think ahead to a colourful display of tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths next year! The soil is still pliable, making digging easy and the bulbs will have plenty of time to establish roots before the cold sets in. Choose a well-drained spot and plant them at the recommended depth (usually two to three times the height of the bulb).
2. Tidy Up and Clear Away
As Summer annuals fade and herbaceous perennials start to die back, it's time for a good tidy-up. Remove any spent annuals and add them to your compost bin (unless they show signs of disease). Cut back the foliage of perennials that have finished flowering, leaving some stems with interesting seed heads for Winter interest and to provide food for birds. This clearing not only makes your garden look neater but also reduces hiding places for pests and diseases.
3. Divide Perennials
If you have established perennials that are getting a bit too large, or perhaps flowering less prolifically, early autumn is the ideal time to divide them. Plants like hostas, daylilies and hardy geraniums benefit from this. Gently lift the clump, cut it into smaller sections with a sharp spade or knife, then replant them elsewhere in your garden or share them with friends. This revitalises the plant and gives you more plants.
4. Aerate and Scarify Your Lawn
Your lawn has worked hard all Summer! Give it some love by aerating and scarifying. Aerating (poking holes in the turf) improves drainage and allows air, water and nutrients to reach the roots. Scarifying (removing thatch and moss) helps the grass breathe. Follow this with an Autumn lawn feed to encourage strong root growth before Winter.
5. Plant Winter-Flowering Pansies and Violas
To keep some colour going through the colder months, plant winter-flowering pansies and violas in your beds and containers. These cheerful little flowers are surprisingly hardy and will provide a welcome splash of colour on grey days, often flowering right through to Spring.
6. Prepare Veg Beds for Winter
If you have a vegetable patch, clear away any spent crops. Dig in some well-rotted compost or manure to enrich the soil, or consider sowing a green manure crop like Winter Ryegrass. This protects the soil from erosion, suppresses weeds and adds nutrients when dug in next Spring.
7. Prune Summer-Fruiting Raspberries
Once your summer-fruiting raspberries have finished producing, cut back the canes that have fruited to ground level. Leave the new green canes, as these will produce next year's crop. This simple task ensures a healthier plant and a better harvest in the future.
Enjoy the Autumnal Glow
Early Autumn is a truly magical time in the garden. While there's plenty to do, the pace is often more relaxed than in the Spring rush. Take your time, enjoy the changing colours, and know that every job you do now is an investment in the beauty and productivity of your garden for the seasons to come.
Of course, everything you need for these early Autumn jobs is available at The Gardening Club!
Happy gardening!
