Autumn's cooler temperatures make this the perfect time to tackle autumn garden jobs that set you up for the winter months and a brilliant early spring. From planting spring bulbs and winter crops to boosting soil health and protecting tender plants from winter frost, here's a practical checklist you can work through across late summer into autumn-and feel proud of next year's new growth and large fruit.
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- 1) Cover your garden furniture
- 2) Tidy plants and grass
- 3) Get rid of leaves (but use them wisely)
- 4) Build your compost pile (and turn compost heaps)
- 5) Mulch for soil health
- 6) Plant spring bulbs (for colour next year)
- 7) Sow or plant winter crops for harvests in early spring
- 8) Green manures on empty beds
- 9) Trees, shrubs & citrus trees
- 10) Protect and extend with covers
- 11) Lag your pipes
- 12) Make a useable area
- 13) Clean tools & tidy the shed
- 14) Water management
- 15) Patio, fences & paths
- Month-by-Month Quick Checklist (UK)
- Related reads on We Made This Life
- Shop this post
- FAQ's
1) Cover your garden furniture
You won't use it much during the colder months, so bring in cushions and properly cover furniture to prolong its life. If you had a barbecue out, pop it in the garage or shed to prevent rust. It's also a good idea to clean it now so it's ready at the first hint of warmer days next year.
2) Tidy plants and grass
Give the lawn one last cut while growth is slowing and neaten the edges. Clear away weeds and spent annuals from garden beds and borders, then lightly prune where appropriate. Keep a light hand-some seed heads look beautiful in winter and help wildlife. This is a great time to cover borderline-hardy plants or move pots somewhere sheltered to avoid winter frost. Leaving some structure in place also supports biodiversity.
3) Get rid of leaves (but use them wisely)
Rake or blow fallen leaves off lawns and paths so they don't smother the grass or become slippery. If you have lots of trees, a leaf blower from SGS can take the hard work out of this job. Bag dry leaves to make leaf-mould for next year-essential, free organic matter that improves soil health.
4) Build your compost pile (and turn compost heaps)
Mix "greens" (grass cuttings, soft prunings, veg peelings) with "browns" (dry leaves, shredded cardboard) to keep the compost heaps aerated and sweet. Turning the heap now accelerates breakdown so you've got rich compost to mulch beds in late winter/early spring.
5) Mulch for soil health
After weeding and watering, spread 5-7.5cm of compost or bark mulch around key plants and across bare soil. It feeds soil life, protects roots, reduces winter weeds and helps moisture retention-one of the highest-impact autumn garden jobs for the following year. Don't bury crowns/stems.
6) Plant spring bulbs (for colour next year)
Get tulips, daffodils, crocus and snowdrops in the ground now-the perfect time is autumn while the soil is still workable. Plant at the correct depth and in groups for impact. For tulips specifically, see my post on When to Plant Tulip Bulbs.
7) Sow or plant winter crops for harvests in early spring
Slip garlic cloves and broad beans into well-prepared soil now; they root over winter and race away in early spring for harvests the following year. You can also try hardy salads (mizuna, lamb's lettuce), overwintering onions and chard-use a cloche, fleece or a cold frame for extra protection.
8) Green manures on empty beds
If a bed is empty, sow green manures (e.g. clover, field beans, phacelia). They protect the surface, add organic matter and improve soil structure-then chop and drop before spring planting.
9) Trees, shrubs & citrus trees
Autumn is a great time to plant trees and shrubs while soil is warm and moist-bare-root season starts soon. If you're growing citrus trees in pots, move them under cover or fleece them on frosty nights to prevent damage.
10) Protect and extend with covers
Pop up a cold frame or use fleece to shield young or tender plants from harsh weather, and to keep winter salads ticking over. A simple cold frame is brilliant for hardening off seedlings early next year.
11) Lag your pipes
Any exposed outdoor pipes or taps? Insulate them now to prevent freezing and burst pipes when temperatures dip.
12) Make a useable area
It's still a great time to enjoy crisp, sunny days. Clear a safe space for kids to run around, add outdoor lights for early evenings, and if you're hosting a Christmas party, consider an outdoor heater for cosy gatherings.
13) Clean tools & tidy the shed
Scrub mud off tools, sharpen blades and oil metal parts to prevent rust. A quick shed sort-out now means good times later when spring arrives and you're not searching for the hand fork in the dark!
14) Water management
Empty and clean water butts, fix gutters, and position a new butt to catch winter rain-low-effort, high-reward prep for next year's watering.
15) Patio, fences & paths
Repair loose paving, treat fences, and clean slippery paths before frequent rain. It's the perfect time to get these done, and far nicer than leaving it to the depths of winter.
Month-by-Month Quick Checklist (UK)
Late Summer / September
- Last lawn mow; edge neatly (save some seed heads for wildlife).
- Plant spring bulbs; start garlic cloves and hardy salads.
- Begin sowing green manures on empty garden beds.
- Harvest final summer crops; start clearing spent plants.
- Start/turn the compost pile; bag leaves for leaf-mould.
October
- Plant broad beans, overwintering onions and more spring bulbs.
- Mulch borders with compost (5-7.5cm).
- Move tender pots somewhere sheltered; set up a cold frame.
- Plant new trees and shrubs; check ties and stakes.
November
- Keep raking leaves; protect pots/containers from frost.
- Finish mulching and pruning jobs; insulate outdoor taps.
- Plan next year (seed lists, bed rotation, wish-list for the garden centre).
Related reads on We Made This Life
- When to Plant Tulip Bulbs - timings, depth and FAQs.
- How to Plan a Garden Cleanup Without Feeling Overwhelmed - step-by-step seasonal tidy plan.
- Your Monthly Garden Maintenance Calendar for Family Homes - what to do, month by month.
- Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring - pick up where autumn jobs leave off.
Shop this post
- Bulb planter (for spring bulbs) - amazon.co.uk
- Fleece/plant protection set (frosty nights) - amazon.co.uk
- Cold frame (extend salads into early spring) - amazon.co.uk
- Compost bin or tumbler (fast compost from grass cuttings) - amazon.co.uk
- Water butt with diverter kit - amazon.co.uk
- Garlic bulbs/sets (autumn planting) - amazon.co.uk
- Broad bean seeds (Aquadulce Claudia for autumn sowing) - amazon.co.uk
Links you might find useful...
- RHS mulching guidance-recommended mulch depth 5-7.5cm and timing. RHS
- Gardeners' World "what to do in October" and what to plant in autumn. BBC Gardeners World Magazine
- RHS school-gardening autumn sow/plant list (garlic cloves, broad beans, onions). RHS
- Guardian: don't over-tidy; plant trees/shrubs; embrace autumn jobs. The Guardian
- Ideal Home/Woman & Home: what to plant now, including winter salads, green manures and onions/garlic for the following year.
Grab this simple A4 checklist covering everything from spring bulbs and winter crops to compost heaps and frost protection. Print it, stick it in the shed and work through it in short bursts - it's the perfect time to prep for early spring new growth and large fruit next year.
FAQ's
What are the most important autumn garden jobs?
Tidy lawns and borders, clear leaves, build your compost pile, mulch garden beds with organic matter, plant spring bulbs, pop in garlic cloves and broad beans, sow green manures on empty beds, protect tender pots from winter frost, and set up a cold frame to extend salads.
When should I plant spring bulbs?
Autumn is the perfect time. Daffodils and crocus go in from September; tulips are best from late October into November to reduce disease risk. Plant deep (about 2-3× the bulb's height) and in groups for impact.
Can I still plant bulbs in November?
Yes-especially tulips. If the soil isn't frozen or waterlogged, November planting is fine. For daffodils, earlier is better, but it's still worth getting them in for colour next year.
Which winter crops can I plant now?
Plant garlic cloves and broad beans in autumn for strong roots over winter and harvests in early spring and the following year. You can also try hardy salads (lamb's lettuce, mizuna), chard and overwintering onions-use fleece or a cold frame for protection during cooler temperatures.
Is mulching in autumn a good idea?
Absolutely. Mulching with compost, leaf-mould or well-rotted manure adds organic matter, protects soil health, suppresses weeds and buffers winter temperatures. Keep mulch off plant crowns and stems.
Should I cut everything back now?
No. It's a great time to tidy, but leave some seed heads and hollow stems for wildlife and winter interest. Remove diseased material; otherwise keep it light.
What should go in my compost heap?
Alternate "greens" (grass cuttings, kitchen peelings) with "browns" (dry leaves, shredded cardboard) and turn it to keep air circulating. Avoid cooked food, meat and dairy.
How do I protect pots and citrus trees from winter frost?
Move pots to a sheltered spot and wrap containers. For citrus trees, keep on the dry side, move under cover if you can, and fleece during freezing snaps. Ventilate on milder days to avoid mildew.
Can I sow green manures now?
Yes-this is a great time. Green manures (like clover, field beans, phacelia) protect bare soil over the winter months and add organic matter when you chop and drop before spring planting.
When is pruning best?
Do light tidying now and remove anything dead, diseased or crossing. Heavy pruning depends on the plant: many deciduous trees/shrubs are done in late winter; apples/pears in winter; stone fruit in summer. Check individual species before cutting.
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