As autumn arrives, a little time spent in the garden saves a great deal of trouble in spring. Readers often ask the same questions about putting a British garden to bed for winter, so here are the answers in a simple frequently asked format.
When Should I Stop Mowing?
Once growth slows in late autumn, raise the mower blades and give the lawn a final light cut on a dry day. Cutting too short before winter leaves the grass weak, so leave it a touch longer than you would in summer.
Do I Need to Protect My Pots?
Terracotta pots can crack in a hard frost. Raise them onto pot feet so they drain freely, and move the most vulnerable ones against a sheltered wall or into a shed. Wrapping them in hessian or bubble fleece adds useful protection in colder regions.
What About Tender Plants?
Lift dahlias and other tender bulbs once the foliage blackens, dry them off, and store them somewhere cool and frost-free. Hardy plants are usually fine, though a mulch around the base helps protect the roots.
Should I Tidy Everything Away?
Not entirely. Leaving a few seed heads and a quiet corner of leaves gives insects and birds somewhere to shelter through the cold months. A garden that is too tidy can be a poorer place for wildlife.
A short checklist now means a healthier, easier garden when the weather turns again.