10 Ways to Get Ahead in Autumn Gardening: A Guide for Lazy Gardeners
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s time to swing into action and get your garden ready for winter. By doing a few simple tasks now, you can save yourself a lot of work in the spring and ensure that your garden is looking its best.
Prepare Your Lawn for Autumn
- Lay a new lawn: If your lawn is looking tired, autumn is a great time to lay a new one. The damp, warm conditions will help the seeds germinate quickly, and you’ll only need to water them minimally.
- Repair your lawn: If your lawn is patchy or has bare spots, you can repair it by weeding and reseeding. First, rake out any dead grass or “thatch” to ensure that the new seeds can reach the soil. Then, sow the seeds and water them well.
Plant Perennials and Divide Existing Ones
- Plant perennials: Autumn is a good time to plant hardy perennials, such as trees, shrubs, roses, and flowering plants. The warm soil will encourage speedy root growth, and the autumn rain will help to keep them well-watered.
- Divide perennials: If your perennials are becoming overcrowded, you can divide them in the autumn. This will increase their vigor and give you new plants for free.
Plant Bare-Root Plants
- Plant bare-root plants: Dormant, bare-root plants, such as roses, trees, shrubs, hedges, and perennials, can be planted in autumn and winter. This is a great way to save money, and the plants will establish themselves quickly.
Pull Up Weeds
- Pull up annual weeds: Flowering annual weeds, such as chickweed, should be pulled up now before they set seed in the spring. This will help to prevent them from spreading throughout your garden.
Tie In Climbers and Stake Trees
- Tie in climbers: Inspect your trellises and arches to make sure they are secure. Autumn and winter gales can bring the whole lot down, so it’s best to fix any problems now. Tie in climbers securely and stake trees to prevent them from being damaged by strong winds.
Sow Hardy Annuals and Sweet Peas
- Sow hardy annuals: If you have well-drained soil, you can sow hardy annuals directly in the ground in autumn. You’ll get earlier flowers next year.
- Sow sweet peas: Sweet peas can be sown in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame in autumn. The plants will be sturdier and bloom longer than spring-sown ones.
Deep Clean the Greenhouse
- Clean the greenhouse: Cleaning your greenhouse now will help to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold. Empty it completely, remove any shading, and wash the glass inside and out. Also, wash the staging and remove any debris or old pots.
Clean and Sharpen Tools
- Clean and sharpen tools: Maintain your garden tools by cleaning, maintaining, sharpening, and oiling them. This will help them to last longer and be ready for next year.
Other Tips for Lazy Gardeners
- Create a compost pile: Composting is a great way to recycle your garden waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants.
- Mulch your garden: Mulching your garden with organic matter, such as bark or compost, will help to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
- Water your plants deeply: Water your plants deeply and less frequently, rather than shallowly and often. This will encourage deep root growth and make your plants more drought-tolerant.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you’re struggling with any of these tasks, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or gardening expert.
By following these tips, you can get your garden ready for winter and ensure that it’s looking its best in the spring.
