Checklist for Autumn

As we roll into April, the heat starts to give us false hope of cooler weather but hold your rose pruning secateurs, they may have some really hot days up their sleeve yet till at least the end of April, but it is a great time to start planning and preparing your garden for colder months.

Here is my checklist,

1. Get rid of any dying or dead plants:
   Get rid of any dying or dead plants or parts of plants that the hot weather has destroyed and renew the soil with nutrients and start mulching as it is important to protect the soil and help out existing or new plants. At Leafe Life, we are able to help with that.
2. Start pruning back:
   Start pruning back any plants (excluding roses, save that for winter) that has finished its flowering period such as trees and shrubs. You should do it now as flowering begins late September, and this gives the plants time and cooler weather to heal its freshly acquired wounds.
3. Plant bulbs:
   If daffodils, tulips and carnations etc are your cup of tea, now is the time to start planting those bulbs as it is cooler, but not freezing. The weather will help the bulbs germinate. Start planting towards the end of April.
4. Transplant evergreen plants:
   It is a great time to transplant any Evergreen plant. You have been dying to move to a more ideal spot as the soil will be cooler, but still warm time to move that sun scorched philodendron or blanched Camelia into a more shady spot.
5. Improve drainage:
   Improve drainage to any area of the garden where water pools, as the soil is likely to be too cold for the plants and over watering the plants. Most plants need less frequent watering during the cooler months thus drainage is important during this time to prepare.
6. Harvest food plants:
   If you do any food plants like pumpkin etc, now is the time to harvest the ripe plants but leave your carrots citrus fruits and beetroot for winter. Sow seeds like broad bean and look at instructions on packets of seeds, you do want to sow if it is the right time and climate. Plan out your sowing before hand.
7. Pest and weed control:
   Pests are at their most vulnerable state as they settle down for their winters and diseases are easier to deal with. Call and/or discuss with us what is wrong with your plant and we will come up with a solution that may work to solve the problem. The fewer the weeds, the better the chance of successful healthy plants. So start removing the weeds or call Leafe Life to help.
8. Planting season:
   Lastly, planting is its best this time of year, as previously written the soil is cooler but still has some warmth to it.

And with that, my checklist for autumn is done!
Happy Gardening!