With autumn comes the inevitable falling leaves and other garden debris cluttering up the garden. We also have the winter on the horizon with the harsh weather it brings, so there is plenty to prepare for during this time.
Here are five things to do in a garden in October.
1. Autumn Cleaning Blitz
October is the best time for giving everything in and around the garden a good clean-up. This includes the likes of gutters and water butts, as well as greenhouses, sheds and ponds.
Garden furniture is unlikely to be used much during the coming winter, so now might be a good time to cover it up or put away into storage to protect it from the harsher elements that are on their way. Also bring terracotta pots inside as they can freeze and crack in freezing conditions.
It is also a great month to start a compost heap if you haven't got round to that job yet, as there will be lots of fallen leaves, cuttings and other garden debris to get it started.
2. Plant for Springtime
Any plants due to bloom in spring need to be planted now. This includes the likes of biennials and anything in hanging baskets or pots as well as the garden beds. By planting it all now, you can expect a fantastic and colourful display come springtime.
Add in some quality topsoil to ensure the plants have all the nutrients they need once the growing season begins again next year.
3. One Last Mow of the Lawn
The end of October is the best time to give the lawn one last cut of the year. Rake all the leaves and debris off first and add them to the compost, or put the leaves into a leaf bag to cultivate leaf mould which is an excellent soil improver.
When mowing the final mow before the winter, make sure to cut the grass a little higher than you normally would during the summer. The extra length will help protect the grass from winter frosts.
4. Trim Hedges for Cool Frost Coatings
This one is not absolutely necessary but is a cool trick to make your garden even more aesthetically pleasing during the winter. Unruly hedges do frost over, but it looks uneven and patchy, so trim your hedges to make them crisp and tidy and the frost coatings will look beautiful once the winter really kicks in.
5. Protect plants and structures from frost
This one is crucial, as not everything responds to frost like a well-trimmed hedge does. As there will likely be snow at some point in the next few months, and there definitely will be strong winds, you will want to check all garden structures such as fences and gates, and even sheds and greenhouses. Look for weaknesses that can be repaired before the harsh weather arrives.
You can also protect any exposed topsoil with a layer of garden mulch such as bark chippings.
If you need any gardening materials such as garden mulch or topsoil for your autumn gardening jobs, then contact Springbridge via our website or call today on 0845 370 1921 for more information.