10 Autumn Do's & Don'ts to Keep Your Garden (and Your Sanity) Intact
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Time to read 3 min
Autumn's great, isn't it? Crisp mornings, golden leaves, that smug "I've got my jumper out early" feeling.
Until your garden looks like it's been hit by a leaf explosion and your hose is buried somewhere underneath it all.
But here's the thing: a few smart moves now save you hours of grief later. We're talking healthier soil, fewer pests and a spring that actually feels manageable.
let's dig in.
1. DO Compost Your Leaves - They're Garden Gold
Those leaves carpeting your lawn aren't rubbish. They're slow-release fertiliser in disguise.
Shred or mulch them down and your soil gets better drainage, richer nutrients and earthworms throw a party underneath. Come spring, your plants will be thriving while your neighbour's are still waking up.
No compost bin? Just pile them in a hidden or unused corner of the garden. Nature does the rest.
2. DON'T Leave Wet Piles Sitting Around
A thick blanket of soggy leaves might look seasonal, but underneath? It's a science experiment gone wrong.
Your lawn can't breathe. Fungi move in. Grass turns yellow and patchy. What looks like a minor mess now becomes a muddy, bald disaster by December.
Rake them up before they compact into a slimy mat. Five minutes with a rake beats an afternoon with a shovel and regret.
3. DO Keep Paths and Gutters Clear
Slippery paths aren't charming. They're an accident waiting to happen.
Wet leaves turn walkways into ice rinks and clog gutters until water's pouring down your walls instead of into the drain. A quick sweep now prevents blocked downpipes, damp walls and that moment where you nearly take out the postman.
Grab a hose, blast them clear and move on with your life. The JawGrip connector stops mid-spray pop-offs that slow you down and wind you up.
4. DON'T Forget Your Tools
You've spent the last few months working hard. Don't thank your tools by leaving them to rust in a heap.
Soil traps moisture. Moisture breeds rust. Rust turns your favourite spade into an expensive replacement sooner than it should’ve been (with a wobbly handle until you do). A quick rinse, a dry and a spot in the shed takes two minutes.
Future you – the one not browsing replacement secateurs in March – will be very grateful.
5. DO Give Your Lawn a Gentle Rinse
Once the leaves are cleared, your grass is still sitting under a film of debris, dust and decomposing bits.
A light spray washes it clean, lets sunlight back in, and helps it absorb any fertiliser leftover before winter really bites. Think of it as a reset button.
Keep it gentle though. You're refreshing, not stripping paint.
6. DON'T Ignore the Borders
They look tidy enough from a distance. Up close? Weeds are quietly building empires.
Leave them now and winter locks them in.
Come spring, they've got deep roots, spreading seeds and a three-month head start on you. Plus, dead growth shelters pests and diseases that'll haunt you later.
Pull them up now while the soil's soft. It's ten minutes well spent.
7. DO Split and Replant Perennials
Autumn soil is warm, workable and forgiving. Perfect conditions for dividing overcrowded plants.
Split them now and they've got months to settle in before spring growth kicks off. You get more plants, they get more space, and everything comes back stronger and healthier.
It's like sending your flower beds to a spa retreat. Divide, replant, water well, job done.
8. DON'T Leave Your Hose Full of Water
It's tempting to coil it up and forget about it. But trapped water freezes, expands and cracks the hose, connectors and spray attachments from the inside.
By the time you notice in spring, you've got a garden sprinkler system that wasn't in the budget.
Drain it properly, store it somewhere frost-free, and it'll last you far longer.
Boring? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
9. DO Clean Out Your Shed or Greenhouse
A quick sweep now saves you from opening the door in March to find spiders, mould and smells you can't identify.
Clear shelves, let some air through, check for leaks. You'll also find that trowel you've been looking for since April and finally throw out the dried-up plant food from 2019.
It's satisfying in a weirdly therapeutic way.
10. DON'T Overlook the Little Jobs
It's the small stuff that comes back to bite you. Hoses left kinked. Fittings not tightened. Tools scattered across three different corners.
A tidy setup means you actually want to get back out there next season instead of facing a chaotic mess that makes you want to hire someone else.
Do it once. Do it properly. Enjoy it longer. That's the Qwick way.
