Give your garden the care it needs to thrive next spring with our comprehensive Autumn Tidy-Up Service. As the growing season winds down, preparing your outdoor space is essential for its health and appearance.
Our dedicated team will handle all the necessary tasks, including:
Clear Leaves
Rake leaves from lawns and paths regularly to prevent killing the grass, which can create bare patches and increase moss. Damp decaying leaves are also a perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases and pests, and can clog drains and gutters, causing flooding. Wet leaves can also be a safety hazard by making paths slippery.
Tip
Collect healthy leaves to create leaf mould — an excellent soil improver. These can be piled into a wire cage or put into black sacks with holes and left to decompose for a year or two.
Hedge Trimming
Shaping and cutting hedges to maintain neatness and encourage dense, healthy growth next season.
Tip
Avoid cutting hedges when frost is expected within a few days. Freshly cut growth is vulnerable to frost damage, especially on evergreens. For general maintenance, September to October is ideal.
Grass Cutting and Treatments
Carry out a final cut of the lawn and apply winter treatments to protect against moss and strengthen the roots.
Tips
- Gradually raise the mower blade for the final cut, stopping when growth ceases (usually late October or early November).
- Aerate and scarify the lawn to remove thatch and moss.
- Overseed bare patches while the soil is still warm.
- Apply an autumn lawn feed high in potassium and phosphate, low in nitrogen.
Plant Border Maintenance
Remove spent annuals, cut back perennial foliage, and tidy borders to prevent disease.
Tips
- Tidy Borders: Cut back dead growth but leave some seedheads for structure and wildlife.
- Protect Tender Plants: Lift and store tender bulbs before frost. Move potted plants into shelter.
- Clean Up: Clear old crops and diseased foliage. Clean and oil tools before storing.
Weeding
Thoroughly remove all weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and prevent spreading over winter.
Mulching
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to insulate roots, retain moisture, and suppress winter weed growth.
Tip
Apply 2–3 inches of compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure to flower beds and vegetable plots.
Improve Soil
Sow green manures such as winter rye or vetch on bare vegetable patches to protect and enrich soil.
Tip
Chop down green manure a few weeks before planting, ideally before flowering or seeding.
Plant Spring Bulbs
Plant spring bulbs to create natural, low-maintenance displays.
Tips
- Early Autumn (Sept–Oct): Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths.
- Mid–Late Autumn (Oct–Nov): Tulips.
- Layering Method:
- Bottom layer: large, late-flowering bulbs (tulips).
- Middle: mid-spring bloomers (hyacinths).
- Top: early bloomers (crocuses, snowdrops).
This ensures continuous colour from February to May.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
Autumn is ideal for new tree and shrub planting, as warm soil helps root establishment.
Tip
Apply a 2–4-inch layer of mulch around the planting area to retain moisture and protect roots.
Add Winter Colour
Plant pansies, violas, and cyclamen for vibrant colour in containers and borders.
Tip
Plant early (September–mid-October) and ensure good drainage to prevent rot.
Grow Winter Vegetables
Plant garlic, winter-hardy onions and shallots, and sow hardy crops such as winter lettuce and broad beans.
Tips:
- Plant sets in well-drained, sunny soil. Cover with fleece to deter birds.
- Sow hardy broad beans like Aquadulce Claudia 5 cm deep in a sheltered spot.
- Protect tender seedlings from early frost with fleece or straw.
Pruning and General Maintenance
Avoid heavy pruning in autumn, as it encourages frost-vulnerable new growth. Focus on tidying instead.
Do:
- Cut back rose stems by a third.
- Prune summer-fruiting raspberries after harvest.
- Trim hedges for a tidy appearance.
Don’t:
- Avoid pruning “bleeding” trees (maple, birch, cherry) until mid-summer.
- Delay major shrub pruning until after flowering or late winter dormancy.
Local Dorset Resources and Inspiration
For advice or plant shopping, visit:
- Local Garden Centres & Nurseries: Best for Dorset-suited plants.
- National Trust Properties (e.g. Kingston Lacy): See seasonal planting in action.
- Dorset Plant Heritage: Monthly talks and events in Dorchester offer great local gardening insights.
Tip: Always monitor weather forecasts and protect plants from early frost with fleece or straw.
Book Your Autumn Tidy-Up
Autumn is our busiest season — reserve your spot early. We offer flexible half-day and full-day service options to suit your garden’s needs.
Book your autumn tidy-up today and let us do the hard work, ensuring your garden is healthy, protected and perfectly prepared for winter.
📞 Call 07891 985 701 for a free, no-obligation quote.
