10 Steps to get the most from your garden in Autumn

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The air is crisper, and the leaves are turning beautiful shades of orange and red - it can only mean one thing: autumn is here! As much as we will miss the warmer days, we must prepare our gardens for the cooler months ahead. That's why we've compiled a list of 10 easy steps to help you get the most out of your autumn garden, keep things neat and tidy over winter, and prepare for next year's spring.

INSULATE WITH LEAVES

Before you start reaching for that garden waste bin, why not repurpose those fallen leaves? Rake them off your lawn straight into the border, where they'll provide a natural layer of insulation against frost. Keep your lawn leaf-free and give it one more cut before winter arrives. In the winter, you can treat your lawn to some garden lime for a fresh green colour come springtime.

PROTECT YOUR TAP

As the temperatures drop, it's essential to protect your outdoor tap and watering cans from damage caused by expanding ice. Make sure to remove the garden hose and shut off the tap securely. If you have zinc watering cans, it's best to tidy them away or place them upside down so that no water can get in.

THINK OF THE WILDLIFE

In the colder months, wildlife can struggle to find food and shelter. Why not lend a helping hand and make your autumn garden wildlife-friendly? When autumn rolls around and it starts to get cold and dark outside, do your bit and help the wildlife in your garden. Use plants to make yummy food and hidey holes for the animals you share the space with. It creates an enjoyable bustle in the garden and will bring out a host of grateful new friends. When you feel the outside temperature drop, it's the perfect time to make your garden more wildlife-friendly. The birds will drop by in the winter and, if you can get them to stay, they'll treat you to a concert in the spring.

PLANT CHECK

Not all plants can tolerate the cold weather, so it's crucial to check which ones need a little extra TLC.

REMOVE ANNUALS

Now that annual plants have finished flowering, you can remove them and replace them with plants that thrive in the colder months. Consider chrysanthemums, violas, Osmanthus or winter heather. Once you've cleared out your garden, place empty plant pots and watering cans in the shed to hibernate over winter.

THE END OF THE OUTDOOR SWIMMING SEASON

If you have a pond, now is the time to remove any plants that have finished flowering. Stretch a net over it to prevent dead leaves from collecting. Insert a pump to create an ice-free patch, which will help fish and other water inhabitants get enough oxygen to survive the colder months.

SCRUB UP

Take some time to give your garden pots and containers a good clean. Store them upside down if they're wintering outdoors and keep painted and glazed earthenware in the shed. Also, remember to check and sharpen your garden tools, so they're in top condition for the spring.

TOOL CHECK

Check if your secateurs, hedge clippers, and lawnmower blades need sharpening. Sharp tools cause less damage to plants. Clean your garden tools and let them dry completely. To keep wooden handles looking good, rub them with oil, sand off rust patches, and grease metal parts. Empty the garden hose and let the fittings soak in diluted vinegar overnight. Once dry, store them away. This frees up more space for containers and pot plants, making watering them easier later.

COMPOST

Making leaf compost is easier than building a traditional compost heap. All you need are a couple of plastic bin bags and a discreet spot to place them. Rake up the leaves after a rain shower when they are damp. Place as many leaves as possible in a bin bag, adding some chalk, compost accelerator, or finely ground eggshells between the layers, and press them down firmly. Leave the contents in a chicken wire basket, and let wind and weather do the rest. After a year, you will have a wonderfully nutritious mulchy soil cover that you made yourself. If you're more patient, it can even turn into potting soil.