Autumn Tree & Garden Prep: Your Essential Checklist

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, it's time to prepare your garden and trees for the colder months ahead. A little effort now will mean a healthier, happier garden come spring.

Here's your essential autumn/winter preparation checklist:

1. Tidy Up

   • Clear fallen leaves regularly to prevent lawn damage and fungal growth

   • Remove dead annuals and cut back perennials

   • Clean and store garden furniture and tools

2. Protect Tender Plants

   • Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a greenhouse

   • Cover vulnerable plants with fleece or cloches

   • Wrap pots in bubble wrap to prevent frost damage to roots

3. Plant for Spring

   • Plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses

   • Sow hardy annuals for early spring blooms

   • Consider planting bare-root trees and shrubs

4. Lawn Care

   • Aerate and feed your lawn to strengthen it for winter

   • Raise the cutting height on your mower for the last few cuts

   • Edge your lawn for a neat appearance through winter

5. Soil Preparation

   • Add compost or well-rotted manure to beds and borders

   • Mulch around trees and shrubs to protect roots from frost

   • Consider a winter cover crop for vegetable beds

6. Pruning and Tree Care

   • Prune late-flowering shrubs to prevent winter damage

   • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches from trees

   • Wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom

7. Composting

   • Turn your compost heap to aerate it

   • Add fallen leaves to your compost or create leaf mould

   • Make sure your compost bin is covered to keep the heat in

8. Wildlife Support

   • Leave some areas of your garden 'wild' for wildlife shelter

   • Clean and refill bird feeders regularly

   • Provide fresh water for birds, just make sure it doesn't freeze

9. Water Management

   • Clean out gutters and drains to prevent water damage

   • Store hoses and outdoor taps to prevent freezing

   • Consider installing water butts to collect rainwater

10. Tree Health Check

    • Inspect trees for signs of disease or pest infestation

    • Look for weak or damaged branches that might not withstand winter storms

    • Contact us for a professional tree survey for large or old specimens

11. Tool Maintenance

    • Clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools before storage

    • Drain fuel from power tools or add fuel stabiliser

    • Service your lawnmower before storing it for winter

12. Plan Ahead

    • Review your garden and plan changes for next year

    • Order seeds and plants for spring planting

    • Consider adding structures like raised beds or a greenhouse

Remember, autumn is an ideal time for planting trees and shrubs. The soil is still warm, encouraging root growth, while cooler air temperatures reduce any stress on new plantings. So, if you're considering adding trees to your garden, now is the perfect time to do it!

By following this checklist, you'll be setting your garden and trees up for success through the winter months and into spring. If you have any concerns about the health or safety of your trees as winter approaches, drop us a message and let’s chat!