By: Ato Kwamena
When the nights start drawing in and the mornings feel that bit sharper, you know colder weather isn’t far away. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard and have your garden suffer for it. A little bit of effort now can save you a lot of hassle come winter and make life easier when spring rolls around. Think of it as a quick tune-up before you put the garden up for a few months.
Here are simple jobs you can do that will make a big difference.
Clear out fallen leaves
Leaves can look lovely when they’re falling, but once they pile up, they become a soggy mess. They smother the grass, invite pests, and can even make paths dangerously slippery. The trick is to keep on top of them rather than leaving the job to build up.
A rake will do, but if you’ve got a bigger space, it might be worth using a leaf blower to get it done faster. You can either compost the leaves, use them as mulch, or bag them up and let them break down into leaf mould for next year. It’s one of those boring tasks that’s much easier if you do it regularly.
Cut the grass one last time
Grass doesn’t stop growing overnight, but once the temperatures dip, it slows right down. Give it one final cut before the frost hits so it’s neat and tidy going into winter. Don’t scalp it too short because that leaves it weak, but don’t leave it too long either, or it’ll trap moisture and encourage moss. A mid-length cut is best. This also gives you a chance to check the mower, clean it, and put it away, ready for spring.
Tidy up flower beds
Beds can look tired once summer blooms have finished. Deadhead anything still holding on and remove annuals that won’t survive the cold. Cut back perennials that have flopped over, but leave any that still give structure or provide food for wildlife. Once you’ve cleared things out, add a layer of compost or mulch. This helps protect roots, keeps weeds down, and gives the soil a boost while you’re not out there working on it every week. It’s a small job that makes a huge difference when things start growing again.
Protect delicate plants
Not every plant can handle a sharp frost. If you’ve got anything tender like fuchsias, pelargoniums, or potted plants that prefer warmer conditions, now’s the time to move them somewhere safe. A greenhouse, shed, or even a windowsill indoors can do the trick.
For plants that have to stay outside, wrap them with fleece or burlap to give them an extra layer of protection. Pots can also be raised off the ground with bricks to help stop the roots from freezing. A bit of planning here stops you from losing plants you’ve spent months looking after.
Look after the soil
Soil is easy to overlook, but it’s the base of everything. Digging in compost, well-rotted manure, or even homemade mulch now gives it time to settle and improve before you plant again in spring. Turning over the soil also helps break up any pests that might be planning to settle in for the winter.
If you don’t want to dig, even just covering bare soil with mulch, cardboard, or compost will keep it in better shape than leaving it exposed. Healthy soil makes all the difference when you want strong growth later on.
Clean and pack away tools
Tools that are left damp and dirty won’t thank you for it. Mud left on blades can cause rust, wooden handles can rot, and anything with a motor will struggle if it sits clogged up all winter. Give everything a clean, sharpen blades, and oil any moving parts. Store them somewhere dry so they’re ready to go again.
It’s one of those jobs you’ll be glad you did when spring comes around and you don’t have to waste time fixing broken gear. It also makes your tools last much longer.
Prepare garden furniture
If you’ve got chairs, benches, or tables outside, they’ll take a beating from rain and frost. Wooden furniture can crack if it soaks up too much water, and metal can rust. Clean everything down, cover it up, or move it into storage if you can. Even if you can’t move it indoors, a waterproof cover will add years to its life. Cushions definitely need to come inside unless you want to be dealing with soggy, mouldy fabric when the weather warms up again.
Think about wildlife
Winter can be tough for wildlife, so a little thought goes a long way. Leaving a small pile of logs or branches in a quiet corner creates shelter for insects and hedgehogs. Bird feeders are worth topping up as natural food sources get scarce.
If you’ve got a pond, clear out any leaves and maybe float a ball on the surface to stop it freezing over completely. These small steps make your garden a place where wildlife can still thrive even when everything feels bare and quiet.
Check gutters and drains
It’s not the most glamorous job, but clogged gutters and blocked drains can cause real problems once the rain sets in. Leaves, moss, and general debris build up quickly in autumn, and if you leave it, water will spill over and end up soaking walls, paths, or even seeping into the house.
A quick clear out now saves you from dealing with leaks or damp later. While you’re up there, make sure everything is fixed securely and that water is flowing the right way. It’s one of those boring but necessary tasks that pays off big time when the weather turns.
Wrapping it up
Getting your garden ready before colder weather sets in doesn’t have to be complicated or take all weekend. A few smart jobs done now mean you won’t be dealing with wrecked plants, broken tools, or slimy leaves when it’s too cold to want to be outside.
Think of it as setting yourself up for an easier start next year. You’ll thank yourself when spring arrives and your garden is already halfway to looking good.
