Autumn is the garden’s quiet turning point. The long, lazy days of summer are behind us, and the first frosts are not far away. Yet this is not a time to retreat indoors and forget the plot until spring. A few focused hours now will protect your plants, improve your soil, and set you up for a much easier start next year. Think of it as tucking your garden in for a long sleep – with a few treats tucked under the duvet.

Tidy Leaves and Look After Your Lawn

Fallen leaves are the most obvious autumn task, but they are also a free resource. Rake them from lawns and paths before they smother the grass and make surfaces slippery. Do not simply bin them. Pack damp leaves into old bin bags, punch a few holes for air, tie the tops, and leave them behind a shed. In a year or two you will have crumbly leaf mould, one of the best soil conditioners you can get.

Your lawn still needs attention. Give it a final cut on a dry day, but raise the mower blades to around 4–5 cm. Short grass is more vulnerable to frost and moss. If the ground is not waterlogged, aerate compacted areas with a garden fork, pushing it in about 10 cm and wiggling it gently. Scarify if you have a build-up of thatch, then brush in a light dressing of autumn lawn feed – one that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium to toughen the grass for winter.

Protect Tender Plants and Move Pots

Tender plants such as pelargoniums, fuchsias, and dahlias will not survive a hard frost. Before the first cold snap, move pots of these into a greenhouse, porch, or bright windowsill. If you cannot bring them in, wrap the pots in bubble wrap or hessian and place them against a sheltered wall. For plants in the ground, a thick mulch of compost or bark chips around the roots will insulate them. Fleece jackets or cloches are ideal for borderline hardy shrubs.

Dahlias need special care. Leave them until the first frost blackens the foliage, then cut stems back to about 15 cm, lift the tubers with a fork, and store them upside down for a few days to drain. Brush off soil, pack them in dry compost or vermiculite, and keep them somewhere cool, dark, and frost-free. Terracotta pots can crack in freezing weather, so empty any you are not using and store them dry. Raise remaining pots onto feet or bricks so they do not sit in a puddle.

Plant Spring Bulbs for a Bright Start

Nothing lifts the spirits in late winter like a drift of daffodils or a pot of cheerful crocus. Autumn is the only time to plant them. As a rule of thumb, plant bulbs at three times their own depth. In heavy clay, add a handful of grit to the planting hole for drainage. You can plant in borders, in pots, or naturalised in grass. For pots, layer different bulbs – tall tulips at the bottom, then daffodils, then small crocus near the surface – a technique known as lasagne planting.

Tulips are best planted in November to reduce the risk of disease. Daffodils and crocus can go in from September. If squirrels are a nuisance, cover the soil with chicken wire or plant the bulbs a little deeper. After planting, water well and mulch the surface. Mark the spot with a label so you do not accidentally dig them up later.

Prune, Mulch, and Feed the Soil

Cut back faded perennials such as hardy geraniums and phlox, but leave attractive seed heads – teasels, sedum, and ornamental grasses – standing for the birds and for winter structure. Prune roses lightly now to prevent wind rock, but save hard pruning for late winter. Avoid cutting evergreens after early autumn, as new growth will not harden off before the cold.

Mulching is the single best thing you can do for your soil. Spread a 5–8 cm layer of well-rotted manure, compost, or bark chips over beds, but keep it clear of stems and trunks to avoid rot. Worms will pull it down, improving structure and fertility. If your soil is poor, scatter a handful of blood, fish and bone before mulching. This slow-release feed will work gently through winter.

Check Structures, Tools, and Water Supplies

Walk around the garden and look at the bones of it. Clear gutters on sheds and greenhouses, and check that drainpipes are not blocked. Lag outside taps with foam insulation or an old towel, and drain hoses before storing them coiled indoors. Empty water butts if they are at risk of cracking, or leave them part-full with a floating ball to absorb ice expansion.

Clean and sharpen your tools before putting them away. Remove soil with a wire brush, wipe metal parts with an oily rag, and sharpen secateurs and shears with a file. Store them in a dry place. Service the lawnmower – empty the fuel or add stabiliser – and clean greenhouse glass to let in maximum winter light. Check fences, trellises, and plant supports for loose fittings before gales arrive.

Welcome Wildlife and Plan for Winter Interest

A wildlife-friendly garden is a resilient garden. Leave a pile of logs or leaves in a quiet corner for hedgehogs and insects. Put up bird feeders and keep them stocked with high-fat food, and provide a shallow dish of fresh water – birds need to drink even when it is freezing. Avoid cutting back all seed heads; they feed finches and look beautiful frosted.

Finally, think about winter interest. Plant hellebores, winter jasmine, and dogwoods with bright stems. Move a pot of snowdrops near the door so you see them on bleak mornings. Then, when the weather turns truly cold, make yourself a cup of tea, look out at your prepared plot, and know that you have done the hard work. Spring will thank you.