Eight jobs to get your garden Autumn ready

Green fingered Britons are being encouraged to get out in the garden to get ahead for next Spring.

 The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have put together their tips for gardeners wanting to stay ahead and ensure a blooming Spring.

Taking care of your garden now and throughout the Winter will mean you have a head start as we head into Spring next year.

Autumn gardening is all about tidying your outdoor space from the Summer and preparing for winter frosts.

It’s also a great time to plant any Spring bulbs for next year and even some vegetables such as garlic and onions.

Nick Wood from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Autumn is a good time to get out in the garden and prepare your space for Spring. There’s always plenty of tidying and clearing debris to do, as well as harvesting the last of the summer / autumn crop.

“There’s other jobs to do too, like planting bulbs so you have a lovely, colourful display as the new season starts.

“And don’t forget to give the greenhouse a good clean. It’s one job you can then cross off your list and won’t have to tackle in Spring.”

Jobs to get your garden Autumn ready:

1. Harvest pumpkins

If you’ve grown your own pumpkins for this year’s spooky season then you’ll want to harvest these. Although temperatures are milder this Autumn, ensure you harvest your pumpkin before any frosts ruin your hard work.

2. Plant Spring bulbs

For those who love a pop of colour in the Spring, now is the best time to prepare your display! Go ahead and plant your favourite bulbs and consider creating different designs with a bulb lasagne. This is when you layer your bulbs in one pot so that they flower one after another and grow to different heights.

3. Patio pots

If you have lots of pots on your patio or deck, remove the saucers to stop them becoming waterlogged and raise them up. You can brighten up pots with heathers, cyclamen and winter pansies for the chilly months.

4. Clean your greenhouse

If you have a greenhouse then you’ll want to give it a good clean. Remove any shading you had up for the summer and regularly clean up any debris and dead plant material. Don’t forget to give the windows a good clean to allow as much light in as possible.

5. Trim hedges

Now is a good time to begin trimming hedges as their growth will be slowing down. Doing this now means they’ll have a better chance to stay in shape until the next Spring.

6. Mulch

Autumn is a great time to mulch. Mulching is used to retain moisture, reduce weed growth and promote healthy soil.

7. Take care of your lawn

Your lawn is likely to have its last cut around November so it’s worth giving it some extra care up until then. You may want to consider aerating your lawn with a garden fork to prevent any waterlogging. This will also allow your lawn to breathe and let those important nutrients sink to the roots.

8. Clean out bird boxes

Take down and clean out any bird boxes, do the same for feeders and bird baths too. Remove old nesting material and any debris in the boxes and clean with hot water