The gardening job you must do NOW before the temperature drops – and it’ll protect your plants in winter
AS temperatures continue to drop and autumn gets into full swing, homeowners across the country will be eager to finish their gardening tasks before winter arrives.
And according to experts, there’s some very important jobs you must do now to ensure that your garden is frost-proof to avoid any long-term damage.
Gardening expert Jack Stooks, speaking on behalf of Fruity Slots, explained that pruning is a crucial autumn task to protect your plants in winter.
He claimed that it is key to ensure your bushes don’t “snap and break”, and therefore helps prevent damage from harsh winter conditions.
He advised: “You should also make sure all your bushes and shrubs have been pruned to where you want them.
“This ensures that in the winter – and when we get snowfall or icy conditions – the branches won’t snap and break.”
Not only this, but according to the gardening pro, another key task to tackle this season is raking up leaves.
While it might seem purely cosmetic to some, it turns out that this essential chore does more than keep your garden tidy.
It also helps prevent lawn rot too – yes, you heard that correctly.
If left unchecked, fallen leaves can trap moisture and suffocate the grass beneath them, leading to rot and long-term damage.
As a result, Jack recommended: “You should be raking the leaves so they’re out of the way, and the borders are tidy.
“If you don’t tidy up, they will become a bit of a mess and unmanageable, causing some of the grass to rot.”
By addressing these tasks now, gardeners are setting the stage for a flourishing garden when warmer weather returns.
Not only this, but if you want your garden to look fabulous in spring, Jack also suggested investing in bare-root roses this autumn.
October gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.
“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!
It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.
Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.
It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space.
October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”
He noted: “I recommend buying bare-root roses now, as they are cost-effective and can be planted in late autumn to bloom beautifully in the spring.”
Buying early ensures the best selection, allowing the roses to establish over the winter months.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
And if that wasn’t enough, autumn is also the perfect time to clean and refresh garden equipment.
Pots should be thoroughly cleaned and stored away to prevent frost damage, ensuring they’re ready for use when needed next spring.
Jack shared: “Give them a good clean and store them away so they’re good to go when you next need one.”
By following these essential autumn gardening tips, homeowners can safeguard their gardens against the winter chill and ensure a vibrant, healthy outdoor space next spring.