As the days get shorter and the leaves start to fall, autumn is the perfect time to get your garden ready for winter. A few jobs now will keep your outdoor space safe and tidy through the colder months, and give it a head start in spring. Here are seven jobs to tick off before winter sets in.
1. Clear fallen leaves
A thick layer of leaves left on the lawn blocks out light and traps moisture, which can leave grass yellow and patchy by spring. Wet leaves on paths, patios and driveways also become slippery and a real trip hazard.
Rake or blow leaves regularly rather than waiting for them all to fall. Healthy leaves can be piled up to make leaf mould, a great free soil improver.
2. Check your trees for weak branches
Once the leaves are down, it’s much easier to see a tree’s structure. Look for dead, broken or hanging branches, cracks in the trunk and fungi at the base. These are all things that can cause problems in winter storms.
If anything looks concerning, especially near your house, a road or a neighbour’s property, get it checked by a qualified tree surgeon before the bad weather arrives.
3. Give hedges a final tidy
Early autumn is a good time for the last hedge trim of the year. Most birds have finished nesting, and a neat hedge will hold its shape over winter. Avoid cutting too late into the season, as fresh cuts on some hedges can be damaged by frost.
Our hedge cutting service covers everything from small garden hedges to large boundary hedges.
4. Clear gutters and drains
Falling leaves quickly block gutters, downpipes and outdoor drains. Blocked gutters can overflow and cause damp, while blocked drains can lead to flooding on paths and patios. Clear them once most of the leaves have fallen, and again if needed in winter.
5. Give the lawn its last cut
Keep mowing while the grass is still growing, but raise the mower blades so the grass is left slightly longer. This helps it cope with frost and cold weather. Avoid walking on or mowing the lawn when it’s frozen or waterlogged.
6. Plan winter tree work
Late autumn to late winter is the best time for most tree pruning and reduction work, while trees are dormant. It’s also one of the busiest times of year for tree surgeons, so it’s worth booking early. Find out more about our tree pruning services.
7. Plant new trees and hedges
Autumn and winter are ideal for planting bare-root trees and hedging. The soil is still workable and moist, giving roots time to settle before spring growth. Make sure you plant the right tree in the right place, away from buildings, drains and overhead cables.
Too busy to keep on top of it?
Not everyone has the time or energy to keep a garden in shape through autumn and winter. Our grounds maintenance service takes care of leaf clearance, hedge cutting, lawn care and general tidying, with one-off visits or regular contracts for homes and businesses.
And if winter storms do cause damage, our tree storm damage team can make your garden safe again quickly.
JC Tree & Grounds Maintenance covers Solihull, Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
Get a free quote or call us on 0121 661 0300.
