The weather is turning, and the abundance of our gardens has started to wane. But that doesn’t mean we gardeners will be hanging up our trowels and secateurs. In fact, autumn into winter can be some of our busiest times. Here is a brief guide of what you can focus on in your garden in the later months of the year.
Garden tasks in September
This year’s season was early for many, and conditions can vary based on where you are. But for many of us, even when the peak of summer blooming is over, there is still an opportunity to extend the vibrancy of our gardens beyond the peak of summer. Take time in September to deadhead plants that will benefit from it, to welcome late flowers wherever possible. We always recommend reading up on deadheading techniques for the specific flowers you’re growing, to get advice to maximise chances of another bloom.
If you have been growing vegetables and fruits, now is the time to harvest, and to complete the tasks that will make sure your crop is healthy next year too. That might mean pruning or cutting back, depending on what you grow. For many, this means we’re not only busy in the garden, but also in the kitchen – making up jams and chutneys, or preparing storage of longer-lasting fruits and veg.
Amidst all this harvesting and deadheading, make sure to make time to sow your hardy winter vegetables as well. Spinach, kale, chard and other winter salads can be sown now, as well as root vegetables such as carrots and turnips. Garlic and onions can also go in now, as well as cauliflower and winter varieties of broccoli.
September is a great time to be composting your garden waste, and feeding your soil with compost or green manure, to support excellent soil health next year.
Garden tasks in October
This is the month that we truly head into preparation for winter. Temperatures may start to plummet, and the days will be getting shorter.
That doesn’t mean that all growing is off the cards – your garlic, onions and shallots can still be sown this month. But our focus as gardeners moves from this year’s bounty, and looks ahead to making our jobs a bit easier next year.
This is the month to lift any tender plants that you plan to overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. Plants such as dahlias and cannas can be cut back and their tubers gently lifted from the soil. That protect them not only from the cold, but also from waterlogged soil that can cause root rot. October is the perfect time to get a healthy layer of mulch down in your garden. This is not only to supress weeds, but also to help insulate roots from the winter frosts ahead.
We recommend undertaking a big clean of your greenhouse in October, too. It’s past the main growing season, so you’ll have room to manoeuvre without disrupting too many plants, but it’s also not so cold that you can’t air the greenhouse to make sure moisture from cleaning is released again. You can find in depth advice about cleaning your greenhouse, and your greenhouse glass, on our blog. And while you’re at it, this is a good time to sharpen your gardening tools, and repair or replace any that haven’t made it through the summer months unscathed.
If you plan to insulate your greenhouse, this is a great time to do it, especially after a big clean. There are several options for insulation, the cheapest of which is using horticultural bubble wrap.
Garden tasks in November
As the days get even shorter, don’t forget the all-important job of getting your spring bulbs planted in November. You’ll thank yourself when the first crocuses herald the start of spring, when the daffodils and tulips start opening, spreading all their joy and bright colours after winter.
This is the month to prune your dormant trees. This can feel like a big task, so a bit of planning, and advice from professionals if you need it, can go a long way. Remember not to prune your stone fruit trees as this time, though, as they are best pruned in late spring or summer.
As the trees shed their leaves, remember that fallen leaves can be excellent for compost, and leaf mould can make a big difference for soil health. To make your own leaf mould, rake and collect leaves when they’re dry, then add moisture to them before storing in either plastic bags with holes in, or a composting bin. In two years’ time you’ll have excellently decomposed leaf mould to add to your soil.
Garden tasks in December
With winter now in full flow, December is the time to make sure you have taken any protective actions needed to help your plants get through the colder, darker, stormier months.
This could include covering your crops, insulating pots from frost, wrapping any tender plants that can’t be moved, and moving anything you can to winter in the protection of a greenhouse or sheltered spot.
December is a great time to think about supporting the wildlife in your garden, too. Bird feeders can make a huge difference to the winter biodiversity, and welcome sweet little feathered friends into your garden. Different types of birds benefit from different seed mixes and feeders, all of which can often be found in garden centres. We recommend squirrel-proof feeders if you’re in areas where fluffy friends might find the feeder too!
Finally, as you curl up inside on wintery days, the end of the year is a great time to think about what worked well in your garden in the year that’s finishing. Did you try any new plants or crops that you’d like to have more of? Is one type of plant thriving, while another struggles? What went well for you this summer, and what would you like to do differently? There’ll be time in the New Year to get into really detailed planning, but for now, enjoy reflecting on your garden in the year that has been, and start dreaming of what it could have in store for you in the year ahead.