As summer begins to wind down, it’s easy to assume that the best of garden life is behind us for the year. But according to Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, autumn is one of the most exciting and important times in the gardening calendar.
Nigel explains: “There’s a real energy to early autumn gardening, it’s all about keeping that summer magic going just a little longer, while also getting your garden ready for the colder months. And late autumn is the time to think about structure, protection, and preparing your space for the best possible start next spring.
Whether you're planting for instant colour, looking to grow your own produce, or keen to protect wildlife in the months ahead, Dobbies has everything you need to get the most out of your garden this season.
The two stages of autumn gardening
Autumn gardening falls naturally into two phases: early autumn, where the focus is on extending summer colour, and late autumn, when it’s time to protect and prepare.
Nigel says, “In early autumn, we’re still focused on maintenance jobs like deadheading and feeding, things that will keep beds and containers looking their best through September. It’s also a great time to refresh summer bedding displays with pansies, violas and wallflowers that will carry you through to spring.”
By late autumn, gardeners should turn their attention to winter readiness. “This is when winter pruning begins, especially to reduce wind rock on larger shrubs. It’s also time to bring tender plants like citrus, fuchsias and geraniums indoors and start thinking about weatherproofing your garden space.”
Instant autumn colour
Looking to brighten your garden this autumn? Nigel recommends adding bold bedding plants such as chrysanthemums, which offer stunning colour in early autumn and are a Dobbies seasonal highlight. “Pansies and violas are classic choices that continue to perform in cooler conditions,” says Nigel. “And later in the season, mini cyclamen come into their own and are perfect for containers and hanging baskets.”
Nigel’s top tip is to; “Raise pots off the ground to improve drainage and reduce the risk of waterlogging as the weather turns wetter.”
Time to plant for spring
Autumn is also the perfect planting season to get ahead for spring. Whether you're planning borders bursting with tulips or naturalising daffodils in the lawn, this is the time to start.
Claire Bishop, Senior Houseplant and Bulbs Buyer at Dobbies, says: “To create a stunning display in your garden in the spring, you need to plan early and autumn is the ideal time to do this. We’ve just launched our full spring flowering bulb range in stores, with great value multibuy offers like 3 packs for £12 and 2 for £12 on larger value packs.
Look out for our Bulb of the Month, crocus in August, and daffodils in September, including varieties perfect for naturalising in grass or creating five months of spring blooms, from January to May.”
Nigel adds that shrubs also deserve attention this season: “Autumn is ideal for planting evergreen shrubs like skimmia, leuciothoe and sacred bamboo. These provide structure and interest throughout the colder months.” Dobbies also has an extensive range of heathers, including vibrant calluna varieties, perfect for borders and containers alike.
Grow your own - autumn edition
While many grow your own crops are harvested in summer, Nigel says there’s still plenty to do: “Autumn is the time to plant soft fruits like raspberries and currants, and even fruit trees. Getting them in the ground now, while it’s still warm, helps roots establish before winter.”
Gardeners should also be harvesting crops like potatoes, storing any leftovers in breathable paper bags for winter use. And as the first frosts arrive, some vegetables, brussels sprouts, turnips, leeks, cabbage will become sweeter and more flavourful.
“If you’ve grown pumpkins, make sure they’re harvested before Halloween,” Nigel adds.
Autumn lawncare
After a dry summer, your lawn needs some attention, and autumn is the perfect time to focus on root health. Nigel advises: “Autumn lawn feed is higher in potassium and phosphates which encourages strong root growth. This sets your lawn up to survive the cold and bounce back come spring.”
Other helpful tips include scarifying to remove dead grass and moss, aerating to improve water movement, and applying autumn lawn dressing to replenish the soil.
Greenhouse prep
As the growing season ends, greenhouses deserve a seasonal reset. “Clean out spent crops like tomatoes and give everything a good tidy,” says Nigel. “Move in any tender plants, and make sure your greenhouse heater is ready to go. Whether you're using an electric or paraffin model, it’s better to be prepared than caught out by a sudden cold snap.”
Garden wildlife
Autumn gardening isn’t just about plants, it’s also about wildlife. “There’s a balance between tidying up your garden and leaving habitats for insects and small animals,” Nigel explains. “Don’t be too quick to cut back everything, many perennials offer seeds for birds, and shrubs with berries, like Pyracantha or crab apple trees, are fantastic for wildlife.”
Smart water use
As we head into the wetter months, it’s the perfect time to think about rainwater harvesting and protecting irrigation systems. Nigel says: “Drain down your irrigation to prevent frost damage and start collecting rainwater now, your plants (and water bill) will thank you come spring.”
Autumn gardening toolkit
To help customers get the most out of their garden this autumn, Dobbies recommends these essential tools and products for the season:
· Dobbies 4-Tier Growhouse, £39.99
· Gardeners Trug, £14.99
· Dobbies Border Spade, £24.99
· Dobbies Pop-Up Garden Tidy Bag, 200lts £19.99
· Q Garden 300w Garden Blower & Vaccuum, £49.99
· Gro-Sure Smart Seed Fast Start 40 sqm, £21.99
· Oasis Flower Pots in Terracotta, from £2.99
· Darwin 4x4 Garden Shed, £325
For more expert advice and seasonal inspiration, visit www.dobbies.com
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