Embrace Autumn in Your Garden

As autumn arrives across Eastleigh, it’s the perfect time to give your garden some much‑needed care. With milder weather and occasional crisp mornings, now’s the moment to prepare your outdoor space for a healthy winter and a vibrant spring. Here are five friendly and practical tips!

1. Turn Fallen Leaves into Garden Gold

Gather up fallen leaves and let them decompose in a home compost bin. Over time, they turn into rich, nutrient‑dense leaf mould, which is brilliant for improving soil. You can also scatter a thin layer over bare soil as a natural mulch to protect and feed your garden.

2. Plant Spring Bulbs Now

Autumn’s mild soil makes it ideal to plant spring‑flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and alliums. Plant a little deeper to discourage squirrels, or use mesh protection if needed. If your ground is damp, try planting in raised beds or pots for better drainage.

3. Extend Your Growing Season

Thanks to Eastleigh’s relatively gentle autumn climate, herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley can keep flourishing. Try sowing winter salad leaves like rocket or lamb’s lettuce under a cloche or in a cold frame. Potted tomatoes or chillies can continue ripening if moved to a sheltered, sunny spot.

4. Give Your Lawn a Pre‑Winter Boost

Autumn is a good time to rake your lawn lightly, removing dead grass and moss, then aerate it using a fork to improve drainage. Follow this with a lawn feed that’s lower in nitrogen and higher in potassium — this helps the grass to stay strong through the colder months.

5. Divide and Protect Your Plants

Divide perennials such as hostas or daylilies now so they can re‑establish before spring. For more delicate plants, like pelargoniums or fuchsias, give them extra protection: move their pots into a greenhouse, place them beside a sunny wall, or wrap the base in straw or fleece to insulate the roots.

With a little autumn effort, you’ll be investing in a healthier, more vibrant garden when spring returns. Why not try one of these tips this weekend? Your garden, and the planet, will thank you.

To discover more about how to style your interior for autumn too, read our recent blog.