It’s now! Here are the essential steps to take in your garden from September to prepare it for winter according to a gardener.
Even if the mild temperatures can encourage us to enjoy our gardens a little longer, the beginning of autumn is the ideal time to start preparing them for winter and ensure a beautiful garden next summer, assures Yann Lepape, a gardening expert at Travaux.com.
While this may seem premature to some, the expert is adamant that “subtle transformations are already occurring beneath the surface. Nature is already preparing for the end of summer,” explains Yann Lepape. He advises garden owners to “not delay in preparing their exteriors for winter. This will help to better protect gardens, preserve their vitality during the cold season and wake them up in great shape in the spring.” In addition, this will allow you to take advantage of the mild temperatures to “accomplish certain tasks that will be much more difficult once the cold sets in, such as maintaining fences or shelters,” he continues.
Among the work to be done in your garden right now:
- Pruning hedges: start by removing faded flowers and prune summer-flowering shrubs before the first frosts, often as early as October. Gardeners recommend never removing more than 25% of the foliage.
- Protect your plants: some plants need to be protected from frost. This is the case for young seedlings, sensitive perennials and semi-hardy species that require special attention from October onwards.
- Put away garden furniture to allow the lawn to benefit more from light and moisture.
- Prepare the lawn. If your lawn looks uneven, you can scarify it and reseed it from September.
- Contrary to popular belief, you can apply specific fertilizers during the winter to feed the lawn, even in frosty periods. Another tip: avoid mowing if the temperature drops below 10°C and maintain a height of about 5 cm to protect the roots and prevent mold.
- Remove dead leaves.
Often forgotten, garden sheds must also be protected from the winter elements (frost, rain or snow). It is essential to treat the wood before winter to guarantee its longevity, as well as that of the objects it shelters. September is the ideal time to apply the treatment, the temperatures are still mild and the product will dry more quickly.