The Autumn Gardening Jobs You Need to Do Before Winter

Five simple jobs every homeowner can tackle now for a healthier, better-looking garden next spring.

With autumn underway and winter just around the corner, there are a few simple jobs homeowners can do now to keep their gardens looking tidy, protect plants from the colder weather and make sure they are ready to bounce back next spring. And the good news is that you don't need to be a gardening expert, nor do you need to spend every weekend digging, pruning and clearing. According to the team at Hillier, just a handful of straightforward jobs can make a noticeable difference.

From clearing leaves to planting bulbs, here are the five autumn gardening jobs worth putting on your to-do list before winter.

1. Clear fallen leaves - especially from the lawn

Fallen leaves are part of autumn, but leaving a thick layer on your lawn can block light and moisture from reaching the grass, leaving it looking tired and patchy. The simple solution? Give the lawn a quick rake whenever leaves start to build up. There's no need to remove every leaf - just focus on clearing heavier areas.

 Don't throw the leaves away, either. Add them to a compost or leaf mould pile or move them onto borders where they can naturally break down and improve the soil.

2. Give the lawn one last autumn tidy

Autumn is a good time to give tired grass a little attention before winter. If your lawn has been heavily used over summer, remove any obvious moss or thatch and consider light scarifying or aerating if conditions are suitable.

For lawns that need a boost, an autumn lawn feed can help encourage healthy root growth rather than lots of soft, leafy growth. Always choose a feed specifically designed for autumn and follow the instructions on the pack.

There is no need to overdo it - if your lawn is already looking healthy, simply keeping it free of fallen leaves and mowing when necessary, may be all it needs.

3. Plant spring bulbs now for an easy splash of colour

If you want a garden that looks better next year without having to do much work, autumn is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Daffodils, crocuses and other spring bulbs can be planted in borders or containers and will largely take care of themselves once in the ground. Tulips can also be planted in autumn, with November being a particularly good time.

For an easy approach, plant bulbs in groups rather than individually. You don't need to create a complicated design – clusters of bulbs will create a much bigger impact when they flower.

4. Protect anything that won't enjoy the cold

Not every plant needs winter protection, but tender plants, newly planted specimens and plants growing in containers can be more susceptible to cold, wet and windy conditions.

Move vulnerable pots somewhere sheltered, such as against a house wall, and raise containers slightly off the ground to improve drainage. If frost is forecast, tender plants may need to be covered with suitable horticultural fleece or moved somewhere frost-free.

It is also worth checking that young trees and plants are securely supported and that stakes and ties aren't damaging their stems.

5. Tidy up - but don't tidy everything

A quick autumn tidy can make a garden feel much more manageable before winter sets in. Remove dead or diseased plant material, clear paths and patios, and check that drains and gutters aren’t blocked by leaves.

But resist the temptation to make everything spotless. Leaving some fallen leaves and seed heads in borders can provide shelter and food for wildlife over winter. The aim is simply to remove anything that could cause a problem while leaving the garden with some natural cover.

The bottom line

You don't need to spend every weekend in the garden to get it ready for winter.

Clear the leaves, tidy the lawn, plant a few bulbs, protect vulnerable plants and give the garden a sensible tidy-up - five simple jobs that can be completed without specialist gardening knowledge and will help set the garden up for the colder months and the year ahead.

“Autumn doesn't have to mean a long list of complicated gardening jobs,” says Charlotte McGrattan, Hardy Nursery Stock Buyer at Hillier. "For homeowners who simply want their garden to look good and stay healthy, concentrating on a few key tasks is more than enough. A little preparation now can save work later and, best of all, give you something to look forward to when spring arrives.”

For more seasonal gardening advice, plants and garden essentials, visit www.hillier.co.uk.

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future” Hillier is one of the leading names in the horticultural industry, with 160 years of growing and retail experience.

Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow.

Not only is Hillier the largest producer of semi-mature trees in Europe and grower of over one million plants at its Hampshire nursery, but it also employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions and is a flourishing multi-million pound company. It proudly holds the world record for the most consecutive gold medals awards at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with 74 wins.

As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives, including the RHS Peat-Free Fellowship, the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally. The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.

Recent successes for the company include the launch of its online shop, the substantial redevelopment of Hillier Garden Centre Newbury and the acquisition of the Rosebourne Garden Centre Group in November 2022, as well as sponsorship of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, and the incredibly popular free ‘Hillier Gardening Club’ loyalty program which now has over half a million members.

Renowned for being a leading breeder of plants in the UK at its 100% peat-free nursery in Hampshire, each year Hillier introduces amazing new varieties. Many of these have become essentials in British gardens and the company continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.