12 Autumn Gardening Tips to Protect Your Plants and Lawn for Winter

Jenny in Sports & Outdoors Oct 07 • 25 min read

As the crisp autumn air begins to replace summer’s warmth, it’s time to prepare your garden for the winter months ahead.

A well-maintained garden during autumn ensures that your plants, lawn, and outdoor spaces remain healthy and vibrant when spring arrives. Below are twelve essential tips to help you prepare your garden for the colder season, ensuring that everything stays in its best condition for the long winter ahead.

1. Feed Your Lawn to Strengthen It for Winter

Autumn is the perfect time to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to stay healthy throughout the winter. As the temperature drops, grass growth slows down, but that doesn’t mean your lawn isn’t still hard at work. Apply a specialized autumn lawn feed, which is typically high in phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus helps root development, while potassium strengthens the grass against frost and disease.

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers at this time, as they promote rapid growth, which is not ideal before winter. Instead, feeding your lawn in autumn strengthens its root system, making it more resilient to cold weather and ensuring it’s ready for a lush spring revival.

2. Clear Fallen Leaves and Debris From Gutters

Fallen leaves may create a picturesque autumn scene, but they can wreak havoc if they clog your gutters. Blocked gutters can cause water to overflow, leading to damage around your home and garden, especially when winter rains come.

Take the time to regularly clear out leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent any blockages. This simple task ensures that water flows freely and reduces the chance of costly repairs in the future. Using a gutter scoop or a leaf blower can make the job easier, but don’t forget safety—use a sturdy ladder and gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.

3. Prune Back Summer-Flowering Plants and Deadhead Autumn Plants

As the growing season winds down, it’s important to give your plants a good prune. Start by cutting back summer-flowering plants that have finished blooming, and deadhead autumn plants before the first frost hits. Removing spent flowers and cutting back overgrown branches encourages healthier growth next spring and prevents diseases from developing during the winter.

Be mindful of what you’re pruning—some plants benefit from being left until spring for additional frost protection, but others, like perennials, can be cut down to ground level. Pruning in autumn helps clear away dead or diseased parts of the plant, ensuring healthier blooms when the weather warms up again.

4. Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

Autumn is the ideal time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. These bulbs need the cold winter months to break their dormancy and start the growth process in early spring. Plant bulbs between September and November, when the soil is still workable.

Choose a well-drained spot in your garden and plant the bulbs at a depth that’s about three times the bulb’s height. A general rule of thumb is to plant them with the pointed end facing upwards. Cover the bulbs with soil and water well. You’ll be rewarded with vibrant blooms in the spring, bringing a welcome splash of color after the dreariness of winter.

5. Use Cold Frames and Cloches to Protect Young Plants

As temperatures dip, young or delicate plants may need extra protection from frost. Cold frames and cloches are a great way to insulate your plants while still allowing light and air to circulate. A cold frame is essentially a small greenhouse, and a cloche is a cover that sits over individual plants.

By creating this barrier between your plants and the cold air, you’re extending the growing season for vegetables and flowers that aren’t quite ready to go dormant. Cold frames and cloches are also ideal for hardening off young plants that have been grown indoors before they’re fully exposed to the cold.

6. Bring Potted Plants Indoors

Many potted plants are more sensitive to cold than those planted directly in the ground. As a general rule, when temperatures start to fall below 12-15°C, it’s time to bring those pots inside. This is particularly important for tropical or tender plants that won’t survive frost.

Before moving them indoors, check for pests and remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Place them near windows where they can get enough sunlight, and be mindful of temperature fluctuations inside your home. Your plants will thank you for the warmth, and you’ll enjoy a touch of greenery indoors throughout the winter.

7. Add Mulch to Insulate Plant Roots

Adding mulch to your garden beds in autumn provides several benefits. It insulates plant roots, keeps the soil temperature more stable, and prevents frost heave, where soil freezes and thaws, disrupting plant roots. Mulch also helps reduce soil erosion and retains moisture during dry spells.

Use organic mulch, such as compost, bark, or leaves, and apply it around the base of plants. A layer of 5-8 cm is usually sufficient to protect your garden beds through the winter. As a bonus, organic mulch breaks down over time, enriching your soil with nutrients.

8. Erect Windbreaks to Protect Vulnerable Plants

Strong winter winds can cause damage to delicate plants, particularly in open gardens. Windbreaks are a simple solution to help shelter your garden from these harsh conditions. You can create a windbreak using a range of materials, such as a hedge, a fence, or temporary screens made from fabric or bamboo.

When positioning your windbreak, place it where it will shield your most vulnerable plants from prevailing winds. Not only will this protect them from the cold, but it will also reduce evaporation, helping to retain moisture in the soil.

9. Improve Drainage in Wet Areas

Winter rains and snowmelt can lead to waterlogging in parts of your garden that don’t drain well. Waterlogged soil deprives plant roots of oxygen, which can cause them to rot. To avoid this, take steps in autumn to improve drainage in any areas of concern.

Consider adding organic matter like compost to heavy clay soils to improve its structure, or install drainage pipes or soakaways in particularly problematic spots. If you have potted plants outside, make sure they’re raised on pot feet or bricks to allow excess water to drain away.

10. Limit Fertilizing and Let Plants Go Dormant

While feeding your lawn in autumn is important, many plants need to be left alone to enter their natural dormant phase as winter approaches. Limiting fertilization encourages plants to slow their growth and conserve energy for the colder months.

Applying fertilizer too late in the season can result in new, tender growth that’s more susceptible to frost damage. Instead, focus on nourishing your plants in spring when they’re ready to come back to life. By respecting their natural cycle, you’ll ensure stronger growth and better blooms next year.

11. Clean and Store Garden Furniture

As the temperature drops, your garden furniture may not see as much use but don’t leave it exposed to the elements. Clean and store your outdoor furniture properly to prevent damage over winter. Wooden and metal furniture can warp or rust and even plastic furniture can become brittle in freezing temperatures.

Wash all furniture thoroughly and dry it completely before storing it. If you don’t have indoor storage space, use weather-resistant covers to protect them from rain, snow, and frost. By taking these precautions, your furniture will stay in good condition, ready to be enjoyed again when spring arrives.

12. Plan for Next Spring

As autumn draws to a close, take some time to plan for the next gardening season. Review what worked well this year and what you’d like to change. Perhaps you want to expand your flower beds, try new vegetables, or add a water feature. Now is the perfect time to make notes and prepare for a successful spring.

You can also start researching and ordering seeds or plants for next year. Autumn is the best time to reflect on your garden’s progress and dream up new ideas for the future. By planning, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the growing season starts again.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your garden for winter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these simple yet effective autumn gardening tips, you’ll ensure that your plants, lawn, and garden are well-protected through the colder months. And come spring, you’ll be rewarded with a thriving, beautiful outdoor space once again!