As the leaves turn golden and the crisp autumn air embraces us, it's time to give your garden the TLC it deserves. 🍂🌳 Garden maintenance, pruning, cleaning, and care for our feathered friends are essential tasks during the autumn season. By ticking off these chores, you'll not only be preparing your garden for a stunning display of flowers come spring but also creating a haven for birds during the colder months. 🌸🐦

To help you on your journey remember to check out our Autumn specials:

So let's "dig in" to the top tips and tricks to keep your garden looking beautiful, healthy, and bird-friendly throughout autumn and beyond. So, grab your gardening gloves and let's get into it! 🧤🌱

Keeping your garden clean is vital for maintaining its health and beauty. Fallen leaves, debris, and litter can smother plants and create hiding places for pests. Here are some autumn cleaning tips:

a. Raking leaves 🍁

Raking leaves is a quintessential autumn task. 🍂 Rake regularly to prevent leaves from smothering your lawn or becoming slippery on paths. Add them to a compost heap or leaf mould pile, providing valuable nutrients for your garden in the future. 🌱

b. Tidying up the borders 🌳

Clear away dead plant material, weeds, and debris from your borders. This reduces hiding places for pests and diseases and prevents the spread of weeds in the next growing season. 🌿

c. Cleaning your greenhouse 🌞

If you have a greenhouse, autumn is the perfect time to give it a thorough clean. Remove any plant debris and wash the glass, both inside and out, to maximise sunlight during the winter months. ✨

Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health, encouraging growth, and preventing diseases. Here's what to prune during autumn:

a. Trees and shrubs 🌲

Prune deciduous trees and shrubs after they've lost their leaves to encourage healthy growth and a strong structure. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood, as well as any crossing branches. 🌳

b. Roses 🌹

Prune bush and shrub roses to prevent wind rock and damage during winter storms. Remove any diseased or damaged wood just wait a bit before heavy pruning as this should only be done in winter itself, more info on rose pruning to follow in a future article 🥀

c. Perennials 🌼

Cut back herbaceous perennials that have finished flowering to neaten up the borders and make space for new growth. Leave some seed heads for birds to enjoy and provide winter interest. ❄️🐦

Autumn is the perfect time to perform essential garden maintenance tasks:

a. Repairing lawn edges 🌱

Neaten up your lawn by repairing any damaged or uneven edges. This will make mowing easier in the future and give your garden a tidy appearance. 🌳

b. Composting 🍂

Create a compost heap or leaf mould pile to recycle your garden waste into valuable nutrients for future use. This sustainable practice will improve your soil and provide a habitat for beneficial insects. 🐞

c. Mulching 🍁

Apply a generous layer of organic mulch, such as compost or well-rotted manure, around the base of plants to protect their roots from winter cold and help retain moisture. Mulch also suppresses weeds and slowly releases nutrients into the soil. 🌸

Caring for Bird Feeders and Waterers 🐦

Looking after the birds in your garden during autumn and winter is essential, as food and water become scarcer during these colder months. Here's how to care for bird feeders and waterers:

a. Cleaning bird feeders 🧽

Regularly clean bird feeders to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria and mould. Use a mild solution of warm water and a few drops of dish soap, then rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling. 🧼

b. Cleaning bird baths 💧

Keep bird baths clean to provide a safe source of drinking and bathing water for your feathered friends. Scrub with a brush and rinse well with fresh water. Top up regularly and, if possible, use a bird bath heater to prevent the water from freezing during winter. ❄️

c. Providing a variety of food 🍴

Offer a mix of food to cater for different bird species. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, fat balls, and mealworms are all excellent choices. Remember to clean up any food debris to prevent the spread of disease. 🌾

Autumn is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, ensuring a stunning display of colour when the warmer months arrive. Here are some ideas of bulbs to plant:

a. Daffodils 🌼

These cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers are a classic spring favourite. Plant daffodil bulbs in autumn, 10-15 cm deep and about 10 cm apart. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for the best results. ☀️

b. Tulips 🌷

Tulips come in a fantastic array of colours and shapes, making them a versatile choice for any garden. Plant tulip bulbs in autumn, 15-20 cm deep and about 10-15 cm apart. They prefer a sunny location with well-draining soil. 🌈 

So as you can see, Autumn is a crucial time for garden care, providing the opportunity to clean, prune, maintain, and prepare your garden for the arrival of spring. By following these tips, you'll not only create a healthy, beautiful garden but also support local bird populations during the colder months. 🍂🌸🐦

So, put on your gardening gloves and get to work – your future self (and the birds) will thank you! Happy gardening! 🌱🌼

Remember to check out our Autumn specials: