With summer in full swing, it’s easy to forget about the approaching Autumn months. However, according to experts, a little planning now can save homeowners a lot of time and effort later when it comes to gardening.
To help people get a head start on Autumn garden prep, Nick Ee, product and training manager at home improvement specialists BLACK+DECKER has outlined three essential tasks to ensure a thriving garden when the weather changes.
Ee said: “Although Autumn is still a couple of months away, there are several tasks you can tackle now to prepare your garden for the next season.
“Consider maintaining your lawn, pruning any dead or diseased plants, and cleaning your tools so they’re ready for future gardening projects.
“Ensuring these tasks are done ahead of time will result in a well-maintained and resilient garden that can withstand the challenges of colder weather.”
Prep the lawn
The summer heat can take its toll on lawns and with over 500 Google searches for “how to prep the lawn” last month.
Ee explained the importance of aerating, scarifying, and fertilising the grass to maintain a healthy lawn.
He said: “Scarifying is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn year-round. It removes dead grass, roots and debris otherwise known as thatch that blocks water and nutrients from reaching the soil.
“Removing this layer helps to prevent the lawn from becoming waterlogged and promotes healthier grass growth.
“Use a manual rake for small lawns or an electric scarifier for larger areas, setting the blades shallow for the first pass. After removing debris, aerate the lawn for better soil and root health, then fertilise and seed bare patches for regrowth.”
Prune dead or diseased plants
Pruning dead or diseased plants in summer ahead of autumn can prove very beneficial for improving overall health.
Ee explained: “You’ll need a sharp pruning tool to make clean cuts to remove dead or diseased branches and shape the tree to encourage healthy growth. This helps to improve air circulation and sunlight exposure for the upcoming growing season.
“Make sure to clean up pruned branches and debris from around the tree to avoid the spread of disease.
“If you are unsure about how to prune a specific type of tree or if the tree is large and requires extensive pruning, consider consulting with a specialist.”
Clean gardening tools
When finishing up garden DIY jobs for summer, it’s time to start thinking about prepping garden equipment for next season, this includes making sure tools are cleaned and repaired ready to be used again in autumn.
The expert advised: “Gardening tools need regular care and storing them correctly is important to ensure they are protected from rust and moisture damage.
“Before putting your tools away, give them a good clean by wiping them down with a degreaser and steel wool brush depending on the material.
“When it comes to storing whether this is in the garage or shed, always make sure power tools are off the ground to avoid moisture damage.”
