For many gardeners, autumn is a time for harvesting the last crops and tidying up. But those who think ahead know that this is also the perfect time to prepare the garden for winter to get a head start on the next season. By making sensible choices now, you will benefit from healthy soil in the spring, which saves a lot of work when you want to get started again.
Care for living soil
After the summer, bare ground often remains. This seems harmless, but rain and frost deplete the soil and nutrients are washed away. Good ground cover helps keep the soil in balance.
You can protect the soil from cold and drying out in various ways. Many gardeners use organic mulch materials from their own garden, such as leaves, straw, grass clippings, or a layer of compost. This covering keeps the soil moist, nourishes soil life, and reduces the chance of weeds. However, you must replenish the layer regularly because it decomposes quickly.
Hemp as mulch material
Anyone looking for a covering that lasts longer, stays neatly in place, and also has a positive effect on their soil will benefit more from a hemp mulch disc or ground cover . The structure is sturdy yet breathable, allowing air and water to pass through the material while the soil remains protected against cold and drying out. During the slow decomposition of this mulch , humus forms : the dark, crumbly material that results from decaying plant fibers . Minerals and trace elements are gradually released, including potassium and some phosphorus. Would you like to know more about our hemp products? Then take a look at our hemp blog .
The moment of pruning makes the difference.
Pruning is part of every gardening season, and autumn is no exception. Because the leaves are falling, the structure of trees and shrubs is much more visible, allowing for a clearer work environment. Furthermore, the sap flow is largely dormant, meaning pruning wounds heal more slowly. What is often underestimated is the sheer volume of branches and leaves generated during such a task. A pruning mat can be very useful in this regard: you place it under the tree or shrub, collect all the pruning waste, and transport it all at once to the compost heap or container. This saves time and hauling, and keeps your garden tidy without much effort. But what should you leave standing, and what can you prune?
Some plants and trees can be pruned perfectly well now, while others can be left alone for a little longer. Apple and pear trees, for example, are good for pruning in the autumn; this ensures more light and air in the canopy, which benefits fruit formation. Pollarded trees, such as willows, can also be pruned without problems between November and March. Many deciduous shrubs can be trimmed during this period to maintain their shape or stimulate rejuvenation. However, be careful with species that bloom early in the spring, such as forsythia or dogwood. Their buds are already developing: if you prune them away, you will miss the bloom. In the vegetable garden, healthy crop residues can safely be left as mulch, while dead or affected parts are better removed to prevent fungi and pests. This is how you keep the garden in balance: well-maintained but not sterile, with room for biodiversity.
Beat the snails!
Many problems caused by slugs arise in the autumn. The consequences of this are not visible until next year, but you can prevent this by being well prepared. Slugs are now looking for sheltered, damp places to lay eggs. By removing thick, wet piles of leaves from vulnerable beds, you reduce hiding places. Where young plants or nursery beds are located, you can opt for a physical barrier using slug netting around the bed. This reduces the chance of slugs laying eggs there. Depending on the weather, slug eggs can hatch as early as the summer or only after the winter in the spring.
Protect against wind and first frost
Autumn storms and biting east winds can cause more damage than a single night frost. Young cabbages, newly planted strawberries, or leafy greens benefit from shelter. A barrier such as a windbreak net , for example, takes the edge off the wind and makes the microclimate in your garden calmer during stormy weather. On cold nights, a climate net helps maintain the temperature and gives the microclimate a boost. Ventilate on sunny days so that the crop stays dry and continues to grow vigorously.
Pond in your garden? That needs attention too!
Leaves in a pond may seem harmless, but as soon as they sink to the bottom, they begin to rot. During this decomposition process, nutrients are released that stimulate algal blooms, while at the same time oxygen is extracted from the water. The result: cloudy water, excessive algae growth, and stress for fish and other life in the pond.
Keeping a pond clean can be quite a chore. Floating and sinking leaves must be removed regularly with a landing net, while stubborn sludge can often only be effectively removed with a pond vacuum. By preventively stretching a fine-mesh pond net over your pond in the autumn , you prevent most of the leaves from ending up in the water in the first place. This not only saves a lot of work but also keeps your pond clear and healthy. Would you like to know the best way to stretch a pond net over your pond? Then take a look at our blog on how to stretch a garden net .
Can you sow or plant something already?
Not everything has to wait until March. Some crops actually grow better if they are in the ground before winter. Garlic and winter onions root in the autumn, rest in the winter, and sprout immediately in the spring, allowing them to be harvested earlier and often resulting in stronger roots. During mild periods, you can also sow lamb's lettuce, winter spinach, or turnip greens under a climate net . These crops still germinate at low temperatures and yield the first fresh harvest in early spring.
Early planting has another advantage: the soil remains active. Roots, fungi, and microorganisms continue to work, which helps preserve the structure better. However, pay attention to the location and moisture. Beds covered with a layer of mulch warm up less quickly. This is beneficial for soil life, but for early crops, it may mean sowing or planting slightly later.
A garden that keeps working while you take a break
Preparing your garden for autumn isn't about removing everything, but about creating the conditions in which the garden can recover. This involves covering the soil, controlling water and wind as much as possible, and keeping unwanted insects or pests in balance. Whether you are just starting out or are already an experienced vegetable gardener, by following these tips you can get through autumn worry-free while your vegetable garden recovers.