8 jobs for an autumn garden clean-up

Thinking it’s time for a good tidy-up on the plot? Here are a few ideas to get you started…

Autumn is when some gardeners like to ‘put their plot to bed’ and then rest up for the winter. However, the veg garden can still be productive during the autumn and winter with some crops still in the ground and some to sow. It is good to have a ‘tidy’ but not be too perfect in your clearing up because leaving certain areas unkempt and uncut can provide the perfect winter home for some of our important garden creatures.

Composting

There may be plenty of crop debris to remove now. Crop leaves such as yellowing brassica leaves, lettuce that has gone to seed and bean crops that are withering on their supports can be removed. Crops gone past their best can usually be put into compost bins – but if they look diseased or are woody in nature use your council bin, if you have one, or just keep separate.

You could leave some crops, such as coriander and dill, to go to seed to either self-sow or provide feed for the birds or places for insects to hide away in.

Greenhouse clear-up

If you don’t grow any winter crops in your greenhouse or polytunnel, now is a good opportunity to clear out any crop debris that might harbour disease or pests. Clean the glass and polythene and framework inside with a greenhouse disinfectant. You can light sulphur candles in empty greenhouses to get into all the nooks and crannies to help control pests.

Cut grass

If you have chosen to have areas of long grass during the summer to let wildflowers grow then once the grasses and any wildflowers have seeded, it pays to cut the grass down using a brushcutter or strimmer. There are many to choose from including the Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Whisper Grass Trimmer which is a battery-powered strimmer. The Whisper range of Ryobi tools are designed to be much quieter.

Rake up those leaves

Leaves from trees can be collected and put into a designated leaf bin for a couple of years. It can be made using chicken wire and posts. This material is such a great soil conditioner so is worth doing if you have the room. Alternatively, put leaves in old compost bags with a few holes made in the bottom and around the sides. Place these hidden from view behind a shed and left until decomposed.

Pruning time

Once leaves have fallen from fruit bushes and trees, many can be pruned while they are dormant. Apart from the usual loppers and secateurs there are many power tools available now, including very small battery-powered mini chainsaws or long-handled power pruners, making this job a lot easier.

If you have a shredder this can help to break down the twiggy material into a really useful wood mulch which can be used on pathways between veg beds.

Thicker branches can be cut up and piled in a corner to provide a perfect home for beetles and predatory insects to overwinter.

Keep the soil covered

If possible, spread manure or garden compost over bare areas of ground or even sow some green manure crops. It is best to keep soil covered to avoid winter rains washing nutrients through the soil.

Clean patios and paths

Tidy up pathways and clear debris so they are not slippery. You can buy patio cleaner solutions to help and many tools such as special attachments to hoses (Bosch and Draper) or machine high-pressure washers (e.g. Karcher) and now a battery-powered cleaner like the Ryobi 18v ONE+ Cordless Patio Cleaner. These all make the job so much easier and brighten the garden during the dull days of winter. They also help remove slippery algae and moss.

Once they’re clean you may need to repoint any gaps between slabs with a suitable jointing compound.