The arrival of autumn doesn't mean gardeners need to pack away their outdoor spaces and prepare for winter overnight.
After a brilliant summer, temperatures are starting to fall and the leaves are changing colour - that’s the perfect signal from nature to start focusing on a handful of jobs that are worth doing before the first frost arrives.
The key is knowing what genuinely needs protecting, what can wait, and what gardeners might actually be better leaving alone to help the wildlife over the colder months.
So, when will the first frost be? There's no magic date when every garden suddenly needs to be "winter ready".
The first frost can arrive at different times depending on where you live and how exposed your garden is with the Scottish Highlands predicted to be October 26th, according to Garden Calc, whereas South West England may see theirs around 12th November.
Rather than relying on dates and calculators, you should start paying closer attention to overnight temperatures and the local forecasts in October because sheltered areas, walls and urban gardens can stay warmer than exposed gardens. But, flower pots and containers can be more vulnerable to dipping temperatures than plants growing in the ground, and you should take extra care over garden furniture ensuring they’re well covered before the weather turns.
Our Director, Peter Bradley, who’s got more than 20 years of horticulture experience shares his recommendations for getting your garden and outdoor space ready this autumn. From lawn cutting tips, to the best ways of ensuring your BBQ cover doesn’t fall victim to blowing off in the wind, you can read on to find out more.
1. Don't “scalp” your lawn cutting it short
One of the most common mistakes is giving the lawn an overly aggressive final cut in an attempt to "tidy it up" for winter - this is called “scalping” the lawn and can damage it.
Going into the winter, grass still needs enough leaf surface to continue photosynthesising and maintain healthy roots as temperatures fall, so if you cut it too short, you’ll be leaving it vulnerable to cold weather and other winter stresses. Make sure you don’t cut it when it’s waterlogged and very wet, as this can further compact the soil and stop healthy growth next year.
Peter's tip - Your final cut shouldn't be the shortest cut of the year. Make sure you leave the grass slightly longer heading into winter.
2. Identify your vulnerable plants before the temperatures dip
Some plants are hardier than others and not every plant needs to be protected from the cold, so it’s important not to get carried away covering the entire flower bed or garden.
Try and aim your focus on tender plants like geraniums and petunias, recently planted younglings or anything growing in an exposed position such as in a larger pot. Plants in pots may benefit from being moved somewhere sheltered, while others may need horticultural fleece placed over them; just keep in mind that protection doesn’t mean wrapping plants up so tightly that moisture and air can't circulate.
Be sure to move really susceptible plants indoors before temperatures fall significantly, rather than waiting until they've already been damaged because it could hinder further growth.
Peter's tip - Think about the plant as a whole including roots as well as its leaves. A plant may look perfectly healthy above ground while its root system is much more vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
3. Cover your garden furniture properly
A recent survey by Furniture Box revealed that 12 per cent of people have never cleaned their garden furniture and we’re not surprised by this at all. Whilst modern outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements, it doesn't mean it should simply be left outside and forgotten about over winter - especially if you want your set to stand the test of time.
It’s really important you clean and thoroughly dry outdoor dining sets and sofas before covering them ahead of the first frost. If you cut corners and cover items whilst wet, it can trap moisture underneath the cover, potentially encouraging mould or material deterioration like wood rot or rust that will limit the life of the product itself.
Start the pre-cover preparation process by dusting off cobwebs and dirt and then use mild soapy water along with a soft bristle brush to clean the sets, before rinsing off with a lower pressure hose. When these steps are complete, thoroughly dry them with a cloth and then you can be confident that when you put your garden furniture covers on, you won’t find any nasty surprises next year when taking them off again!
The same principle applies to BBQs and firepits; you need to clean them well before storing or covering items, taking extra care around the drying step so that metal doesn’t rust below.
Softer furnishings that make outdoor space comfortable and stylish over the summer months - such as cushions and outdoor rugs - should ideally be stored somewhere dry like a cushion box or bag.
Peter's tip - A cover is there to protect your furniture from the weather, but putting it over wet or dirty furniture can create a different problem underneath that you won’t see until next spring.
4. Don't clear every leaf from your garden
Fallen leaves can become a nuisance when they cover lawns and drainage points, however, that doesn't mean every leaf needs to be removed from the garden. A thick layer of leaves left on a lawn can block light and air, so these should be cleared regularly and leaves on paths and patios should also be removed before they become slippery.
We’d recommend that you keep leaves in borders and underneath established shrubs because they can provide organic matter and habitat for wildlife over the harsh winter months, before the first frost hits. Rather than sending everything to the bin, consider collecting some leaves to make leaf mould or adding suitable material to your compost.
Peter's tip - Think about how you can make leaves useful and not throw all of them away to help pollinators and wildlife have some shelter over winter.
5. Mid Ulster’s 15-minute pre-first frost checklist
You don't need to spend an entire weekend preparing your garden when the first frost is forecast. Instead, we always recommend that you do a quick walk around the garden and identify the plants and furniture that needs protecting before it hits.
Here are five checks you can do in less than 15 minutes before the cold sets in:
Move plants - Make sure that you move vulnerable plants in pots to somewhere sheltered like warmer south facing walls or under the house eaves. For me, it’s making sure our herbs are moved or covered so that we have fresh rosemary all year round, especially in the winter for cooking so we place it under the eaves, down the side of the house and it’s in easy reach to grab snippets.
Check covers - Ensure that outdoor furniture and BBQ covers are clean, dry and secure so that moisture can’t get underneath. If moisture gets under the cover, you may end up with rust or woodrot damaging your furniture.
Leaf clearing - Clear leaves from lawns and paths but keep some in borders for wildlife to help provide shelter and warmth.
Water - Check hoses and outdoor taps that could be affected by freezing temperatures. Place protective foam over them, if needed.
Keep things secure - Look for anything lightweight that could be damaged or blown around in strong winds or rain.
Final thoughts from Peter…
The aim isn't to make the garden completely frost and winter-proof as it’s a natural part of the garden’s cycle and we should be embracing it. A little preparation before the first frost can prevent avoidable damage, while leaving other parts of the garden to naturally transition into winter can actually be beneficial.
