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As the leaves start to fall and the chill in the air sets in, Autumn is your cue to roll up your sleeves and get to work in the garden. While summer’s temperatures might be fading, this season is your golden opportunity to get the gardening tools out and lay the groundwork for a stunning spring. From planting bulbs to tackling those niggling repairs, there’s plenty on the agenda to keep your garden thriving. So, grab your tools and let’s dive into four essential tasks that will set your garden up for success this Autumn!
Get your spring bulbs planted
Summer might be in the rear-view, but if you’re serious about having a beautiful garden next year, now’s the time to put the work in. Early to mid-Autumn is the prime time for planting your spring bulbs. Think daffodils, crocuses, asters, and marigolds. These thrive when you plant them while the ground still has a bit of warmth left in it. That way, they can settle in over the colder months before the ground above starts to freeze with the dropping temperatures.
Got tulips in mind? Hold your horses. They’re best suited for planting later in Autumn, towards the end of October or November, when the soil cools down a bit more. Whether you’re after a splash of colour or a full-on flower display, getting your bulbs in the ground now will save you the headache later – and guarantee your garden’s looking top-notch when the warm weather returns next spring!
Mulch your plant beds
While we’re on the topic of plants, if you want the plants you already have to tough it out through Autumn and winter, mulching your beds is a must. The best part? You don’t need fancy materials – mulch is just organic matter like tree bark, wood chips, leaves, or grass clippings from the lawn. No stash? No problem – you can easily pick up mulch supplies at your local garden centre.
Mulching does more than just keep your plants warm. It insulates the soil, protecting roots from freezing when the temperatures drop, and it helps prevent soil erosion when heavy rains hit. But that’s not all; it also locks in moisture, meaning you’re not constantly watering, and it keeps those pesky weeds at bay by blocking out sunlight. Plus, as it breaks down, mulch feeds your soil with nutrients that boost its structure and fertility. So, not only are you helping your plants survive the cold, but you’re setting them up for a better growing season ahead!
Get those outdoor repairs sorted before winter hits
Before the cold weather moves in, it’s time to tackle those repairs you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s fixing up your shed, patching up your decking, sorting out any loose fence boards or clearing the gutters. Winter can turn minor issues into big headaches fast. Loose boards, cracked paint, or sagging gutters don’t just look unsightly; they can lead to serious damage when rain, snow, and ice come into play.
A bit of elbow grease now will save you a world of hassle later. So, grab your tools and get to work while the weather’s still semi-decent. Reinforce your fence, seal up any cracks, and make sure your gutters are clear of debris to keep everything flowing smoothly. Sort it now, and you’ll be set to coast through the winter without worrying about things getting worse.
Get creative with any excess wood
If you’ve been using a chainsaw to cut back any relatively large trees and find yourself with a pile of branches and twigs, don’t be too quick to toss them away! Those trimmings can make brilliant firewood, especially with Bonfire Night coming up – it’s a great way to save yourself a bit of cash on firewood. Plus, there’s something satisfying about burning what you’ve collected from your garden, giving you a crackling fire for a cosy evening.
If you’re more into keeping the garden buzzing with life, those branches can serve another purpose. Instead of burning them, you can create a simple hedgehog den by stacking the branches into a small, sheltered pile. Throw in some leaves and other garden debris you’ve got left over from mulching, and you’ve got a perfect little hideaway for hedgehogs or other wildlife to hunker down in as the colder months approach. It’s a simple job that helps you clear up the garden and gives a helping hand to the local wildlife at the same time!
At Smiths Hire, we’ve been providing our equipment and tool hire services to customers for more than 50 years now! We operate from our 17 tool hire depots across the North West and Yorkshire, including several in major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds. If you have any questions regarding any of our products for your Autumn garden jobs, feel free to give us a call at 0333 323 2100, and we’ll be happy to help!
