Autumn checklist: preparing your garden for winter

Autumn checklist: from now through November

Autumn is preparation. What you do now determines whether your spring is lush or sad. Here's the checklist.

September: Early autumn

Prune spent plants:

• Summer bloomers past their peak (lavender, sage, geranium) get a light prune.
• Prevent them getting leggy (loose twiggy growth).

Remove dead flowers:

• Roses, hydrangeas, echinacea: encourage reblooming.
• More late-summer colour.

Water:

• First autumn month still water regularly.
• Dry soil bad for root-making.

Sow: autumn crops/flowers:

• Kale, spinach, winter beans plant outside.
• Buy chrysanthemums (already in bloom).

October: Full autumn

Collect leaves:

• Don't throw away! Leaf mould is garden gold.
• Pile up leaves, let rot (1-2 years becomes leaf mould).
• Or: shred fine, spread under shrubs (mulch).

Plant bulbs (critical!):

• Tulips (plant until end October).
• Crocus, snowdrops, allium (September-October).
• Hyacinths (October).
• Dig hole (depth 2-3x bulb size), bulb in, cover.

Hedges & trees:

• Deciduous hedges (hornbeam, beech) can be pruned now.
• Evergreen later (December).
• Prune after leaves fall but before hard frost.

Clean borders:

• Remove dead leaves from plants.
• Pull weeds - easier now.

Check drainage:

• Gutters clean of leaves.
• Drain outlets clear.

November: Late autumn

Finish pruning:

• Last chance evergreen hedge pruning (December frost danger).
• Prune climbers (clematis, ivy).

Plant final bulbs:

• Snowdrops, crocus still until mid-November.
• Bulbs in pots (indoors, force for early spring).

Protect tender plants:

• Non-hardy (tropical-ish): indoors or wrap in hessian.
• Sage, rosemary, lavender: fine outdoors in NL.

Ground covers:

• Pull or leave established?
• Pull: more work now, tidier spring.
• Leave: insects have winter shelter.

Winter decoration:

• Branches, berries (Sambucus), red/dark foliage (Acer) - leave for interest.
• Winter bloomers (helleborus, jasmine) stay visible.

Empty compost:

• Full compost heap? Empty now, use next year.

December: Frost prep

No more pruning:

• Hard frost here now. Pruning wounds freeze shut = dead wood.

Protection:

• Young trees/shrubs: protect from snow (tie string around).
• Non-hardy: hessian or pea sticks.

Drainage:

• Waterproof pots: empty or tilt.
• Standing water = ice = root death.

Is your garden bare?

• Add winter bloomers (helleborus, jasmine, ornamental grasses).
• Red/coloured stems (Salix, Cornus) add winter interest.

Checklist summary

September:

• Prune spent summer bloomers
• Remove dead flowers
• Water

October:

• Collect leaves
• Plant bulbs (tulips, crocus)
• Hedge pruning
• Clean borders

November:

• Clematis/ivy pruning
• Final bulbs planted
• Protect tender plants
• Leave decorative elements

December:

• No pruning
• Drain waterproof pots
• Winter bloomers visible

Budget

Autumn bulbs (1 m2):

• 30-40 bulbs at 0.50-1 euro = 20-40 euros
• Soil + compost: 20-40 euros
• Total: 40-80 euros

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to remove all leaves?

No. Bottom leaves are compost (let them rot). Top layer leaves (> 20 cm) must go - suffocates plants. Thin mulch layer is fine.

Are bulbs expensive?

Cheap! 30-40 bulbs for whole garden ~ 30 euros. One-time expense with years of benefit.

Prune ivy in December?

Better October-November. December hard frost = frozen wound = dead wood. Ivy is hardy but prevention better.

How do I prune clematis correctly?

Depends on type. 'Jackmanii' (blooms new wood) prune hard October/November. 'Henryi' (blooms old wood) light tip December. Check cultivar-specific.

Upload a photo of your autumn garden to gardenworld.app and see how winter prep could improve it. Instant autumn insight.