Tidy up your autumn garden

Autumn is a great time for planting, because the air is humid and the ground moist, so the need to pay attention to watering decreases. The current growing season might be coming to an end, but it’s time to look to the future. Now is a good time to plant evergreens and perennials, or plant bulbs that will bring blossom to your garden in the spring. Even though this season tends to be moister than others, it’s good to check the soil every now and then; new plantings need sufficient watering, so they have a chance to root properly. 

For the sake of nature and ecology, it’s a good idea to try to preserve a balance in the garden while cleaning. Rake fallen leaves from the lawn onto the flower beds, or compost them. This way the energy of the leaves ends up in the soil again. In addition, beneficial insects, like ladybugs and green lacewings, will be happy to find shelter for the winter underneath the leaves. If you have pine trees in your garden, you have surely experienced fallen pine needles covering pathways and lawns. Rake the needles into piles and use them as mulch for evergreens and rhododendrons.

During the summer months some perennials, shrubs and trees may have overgrown into almost a jungle. It’s time to prune and shape those plants, cut back some growth and remove dead plant parts. Prune odd stray shoots, as well as dead and damaged branches. Some plants, like hosta leaves, can be left as they are because they wilt on their own during the winter months. However, a little bit of trimming can refresh the look of your garden and give you a feeling of control.

Weeds do not rest even in the autumn, but continue to grow until they’re covered by frost and snow. There are no good shortcuts when it comes to weeds, the only way to remove them is weeding, simple as that. The more often and regularly you weed, the easier the weeds are to get rid of. Tidying and weeding properly in the autumn means you’ll have an easier time in the spring.

Once your garden and flower beds are in order, you can add some extra colour to your autumn garden with weather-resistant containers, or just relax and enjoy the crisp autumn days in your tidy garden.