my checklist

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Autumn Garden MY

CHECKLIST

Remove moss and thatch from your lawn through regular raking (wear gloves if using a hand-held rake) Aerate your lawn for better movement of air and water. Either ‘spike’ holes 10-15cm apart with a garden fork or, every two to three years, use a hollow tine aerator Flatten bumps in the lawn with an edging spade or iron After raking, aerating and flattening, repair any worn or missing patches of lawn by sprinkling over lawn seed. Lightly rake into the surface and walk over it to firm the ground Collect and compost fallen leaves, leaving a few small piles on the ground as shelter for overwintering wildlife Tidy borders – dig up annuals and add to your compost heap Prune collapsed perennial stems by cutting at the base with secateurs Lift and protect tender plants like Dahlias and Begonias before winter threatens. Cut back the stems and pot in trays of dry compost in a cool spot. In milder climates, you may be able to leave them and cover with a thick layer of mulch Replant tidied borders with winter bedding plants (pansies, violas) and evergreens to fill gaps (Camellia, Sarcococca,Viburnum, Photinia) Restore your soil by adding a layer of nutrient-rich multi-purpose compost If you would like really neat borders, add a layer of decorative bark and edge with a landscaping product like log rolls Give your growing compost pile a boost by adding a compost maker, speeding up the production of rich, dark, crumbly compost Safely dispose of non-compostable garden waste, like paper and wood, in a dustbin incinerator Return light to your greenhouse – remove any shade put up during summer and clean and disinfect windows inside and out

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