As the nights get longer, the days get colder, it can be very tempting to want to stay indoors during autumn and winter, reappearing in early spring.
But, before you start googling whether humans can hibernate, you need to get your garden in check for two reasons:
- To ensure your garden's ready for the colder weather
- To maximise your enjoyment of your autumn garden
That's right, even though the sun might not have its hat on, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy your garden in the autumn and winter.
After all, there's so much to look forward to, like Halloween, bonfire night, Christmas festivities, and maybe a snowball fight or two.
Here are 10 tips for maintaining your garden and patio area during autumn so you can enjoy it all year round.
4 ways to protect your garden patio and pathway during autumn
Another big area of concern during the wetter, colder months is likely to be your patio and any garden paths.
Without the proper treatment, these can become slippy, and the change in temperatures can cause fluctuating ground conditions that can lead to a number of structural issues, including the freeze-thaw effect.
To make sure your patio, outdoor tiles and any other paving slabs are in tip-top condition before the bad weather hits, follow these steps:
1. Remove moss and algae
Moss and algae thrive in cold, damp weather - two things autumn has in abundance. These can make your patio and pathways slippy and unsafe, so to avoid any mishaps, give your slabbed or tiled areas a thorough clean.
You can do this with either a pressure washer or, if you don't have one of these, use moss and algae remover and a brush. You could even make your own cleaning solution with water and vinegar.
2. Check for damage
Before the cold weather really sets in, make sure you take some time to check for cracks and damage, especially in the joints. If you notice anything, get it fixed before the cold weather sets in.
The freeze-thaw effect can lead to structural damage, as water expands when it freezes - forcing particles further apart and causing movement.
3. Improve drainage
Ensure adequate drainage measures are in place to reduce the risk of standing water. Water pooling can cause paving slabs to erode and become damaged, so it's important to solve any drainage issues before the wet weather arrives.
To do this, consider adding a suitable drainage system to your patio area or, it is important to have directional fall to aid rainwater dispersal. It is imperative to make sure that any current drainage system is free from debris and functioning as intended.
If you're having a new patio laid, another solution is to invest in permeable paving. These paving stones and setts are designed to allow water to flow through them and be absorbed back into the ground, minimising standing water and helping your current drainage system cope with heavy rainfall. (The installation of permeable paving is always subject to the correct permeability tests to gauge the grounds compatibility with the system)
Autumn gardening checklist
We’ve put this checklist together to help you get your garden ready for autumn and make sure you’re prepared when spring rolls around.
- Clean fallen leaves and debris: As satisfying as stepping on crunchy leaves is, they can prevent sunlight and air from reaching your lawn. This can lead to patchy grass and be a breeding ground for pests and plant diseases. Fallen leaves can also be really slippy, so make sure they are swept up to avoid any injuries or damage to your garden. Tannin stains from fallen leaves can also occur if left to decompose on the product surface.
- Prune and trim your plants: Pruning plants allows plants to focus on strengthening healthier areas, which can stimulate better blooms when the growing season arrives - this is especially important if you grow your own fruit. Trimmed plants are also less likely to be damaged by snow and ice, helping them survive harsher weather.
- Prepare your lawn: To improve water absorption, aerate the lawn with a garden fork, making holes 2-6 inches deep in the grass at about 30cm apart. This method helps ensure that air, water, and nutrients can penetrate the soil effectively, promoting healthier and more vigorous grass growth.
- Plant spring bulbs, shrubs and winter vegetables: Spring flowering bulbs, like daffodils and tulips, shrubs, and vegetables, including hydrangeas, carrots, and beetroot, can all be planted in autumn.
- Protect existing plants: It’s a good idea to make or source covers for planters and plant pots to help your plants survive the colder, wetter months. Anything in these containers is more susceptible to feeling the cold because its roots are less insulated than those in the ground.
- Store garden furniture: Wipe down and dry your furniture before you store it. This will ensure it’s dry and that mould can’t build up during colder, wetter weather. If possible, store patio furniture indoors to protect it from the elements.
Give your patio a makeover with Marshalls
When you’re planning a patio transformation, make sure you explore Marshalls’ leading range of outdoor tiles, garden paving and walling solutions to find high-quality products that look the part and stand the test of time.
And, to make sure your garden’s ready for the cold, wet weather, use our premium jointing compounds, such as weatherpoint jointing and paving primer, to fit and secure your patio.
If you’re unsure what sort of aesthetic you want to go for, we can help with that, too. Check out our inspiration gallery for finished work and to see some garden ideas brought to life.
Alternatively, you can use our Outdoor Reality App to visualise what styles suit your garden best. Using augmented reality, the app places outdoor tiles, paving stones, and more in your garden. Better still, the app will measure your space as well, so there’s no need to worry about ordering too much.
