The winter weather is fast approaching, so now is a great time to prepare your garden so that you can enjoy it even more next year. Follow our top tips to ensure a thriving outdoor space for next spring:

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Lawn Care

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Find an opportunity for your last lawn trim of the year

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Grass does, of course, grow less quickly during the winter months, but it won't stop completely. With an increase in rainfall, there is an increased risk of waterlogging that can make mowing problematic, so keep an eye out for a good, dry day to give your lawn it's last chop of the year - before the winter frosts set in.

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Remove worm casts

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Generally speaking, worms can be good for your garden - but the little piles of earth they leave behind can be a pain for your lawn. You'll notice these appearing more frequently from September onwards, but left alone as the wetter weather arrives they can make a real mess of your lawn. Pick a dry day to avoid turning them to mud, and use a stiff broom to clear them.

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Feed the soil

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For strong, healthy grass come spring, now is the time to give your lawn a feed with an autumn lawn feed or slow-release fertiliser. This will help to strengthen the grass during the cold and wet weather. You may also want to consider aerating the soil if it's particularly prone to waterlogging and overseeding with some additional grass seed to give your lawn the best chance to thrive into next year.

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Remove fallen leaves

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Be sure to remove fallen leaves, especially from lawns and garden beds as these can smother plants and reduce airflow. Don't get rid of them though, because these can make perfect habitats for insects and small mammals during the colder months. Alternatively, if you pop the leaves into a large bag or bin, ensuring they are moist but not waterlogged, they'll make a great leaf mould for future use around your garden. It can take up to two years for whole leaves to decompose into leaf mould, but this can be reduced to 6 months for shredded leaves.

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Hydration

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Although typically we do get a lots of rain during the autumn & winter months, it's worth keeping in mind that you may need to consider some additional watering if we do have any longer dry spells during the colder months.

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Plants & Flower Beds

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Move vulnerable plants indoors

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If you have tender or half-hardy plants in your garden, move them under cover now to keep them safe from upcoming winter frosts. If you're moving plants from outdoors, indoors - be sure to check the compost for insects and snails first.

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Clean up

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Remove any unwanted weed growth from your flower beds as well as anu summer plants that have completed their life-cycle. This rejuventaes the beds and prepares them for new growth.

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Plant spring bulbs

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Now is the perfect time to be planning ahead and planting spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and crocuses. September is the ideal time for planting these, but any time in the autumn is fine if you've missed the early boat!

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Perennial care

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Cut back old growth by trimming faded flower stems and dead foliage to ground level or just above any new visible growth. If you'd rather leave some stems and foliage over winter to provide shelter and food for wildlife, then you can cut these back in the spring instead.

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Perrenial planting

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Autumn is an ideal time to plant new perennials so they can develop their root systems over winter.

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Mulch garden beds

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Mulch your garden beds with 2-3 inches of organic matter (like leaves, bark or straw) to protect the roots. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds and protects the soil from erosion and winter frosts.

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Consider planting trees & shrubs

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If you're looking to add any additional trees or shrubs to your garden, then now is a good time to do this, giving them a chance for roots to establish before winter dormancy.

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Wildlife Care

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Leaf shelters

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Collect any fallen leaves and transfer them to a corner or beneath a hedge where hedgehogs and other mammals can crawl for shelter

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Compost heaps

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A variety of species including hedgehogs and queen bees, find compost heaps the perfect place to hibernate. If your heap is in a plastic bin with a lid, this will keep it dry, but consider providing access for hibernators at the base by standing the bin on bricks. If you have an open bin, cover it with a thick piece of old carpet to keep it dry and insulated. Avoid disturbing the bin between autumn and April when all species will have finished their winter-long snooze!

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Twigs

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Bundles of twigs placed at the back of borders or in a plant pot on its side, can make a great shelter for invertebrates and small mammals.

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Replenish your bird feeders

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During the winter months, our feathered friends will find it harder to find plentiful natural food sources, so now is a great time to replenish your bird feeders to help keep them visiting throughout the colder months, bringing life to your garden.

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Spare plant pots

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If you have any spare plant pots kicking around, consider keeping them stacked in a sheltered spot in your garden to provide shelter for bees and other insects needing a cool, dry place.

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Ponds

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If ponds freeze over, gases caused by decaying plant material can get trapped and poison male frogs who often spend their winter months in the muddy depths of ponds, breathing through their skin. Remove debris from ponds now and float a tennis ball on the surface to prevent the ice from sealing it to help keep them safe & healthy through the colder months.

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