AUTUMN / WINTER GARDEN CHECKLIST

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, looking after our outdoor space can become that bit harder with wet weather and frosty temperatures wreaking havoc in the garden. To help gardeners get ahead, B&Q’s Head of Horticulture, Mairi Devlin, has shared her autumn checklist so anyone can achieve a beautiful, blooming garden come the sunnier spring months. Mairi says, “It may seem like there are fewer jobs in the garden from October to February, however the work you do to prepare in these months will be worth it when Spring comes around. Pruning, composting, and planting winter bulbs helps the soil to stay nourished and ready for the growing season ahead. This is the season where thoughtful care and planning pay off.” To help gardeners ensure they’re welcomed into spring by a beautiful, blooming garden, Mairi has shared her month-by-month guide to the must-do jobs throughout autumn and winter.

October

Spend October clearing weeds and leaves, which you can add to your compost. Continue replacing old summer bedding with winter and spring bedding as the flowers come to an end and add fresh compost. You’ll need to occasionally water your plants, but the aim is to keep the compost moist rather than wet. Mairi’s key jobs for the month • Clear weeds and leaves • Replace old summer bedding • Lay a new lawn with turf if required • Trim hedges • Add winter feeding stations for wildlife and top up on feed • Check tree ties in windy weather Top pick: Bosch Universal GardenTidy 3000 Garden blower & vacuum.

November

Winter is coming and it’s time to plant your bulbs ahead
of Spring. Make sure to plant them three times their
own depth, and if you have any spare garden compost,
spread it over any ground that will be bare for winter,
and dig it over. Now is also when you need to be careful
of strong winds that can lift the roots of newly planted
trees and shrubs out of the ground. Be sure to check on
your plants and heel them back if needed.
Mairi’s key jobs for the month

• Clear weeds and leaves
• Plant spring bulbs
• Plant or move deciduous woody plants such as trees
  and shrubs
• Bring inside plants like Gladioli and Dahlia Tubers to
  be stored for the colder months
• Add stakes to newly planted trees
• Add a layer of mulch to your top soil
• Prep garden ponds for the colder temperatures
  Top pick: Mac Allister Corded Impact Shredder

December

The weather may make you want to stay curled up
inside, but your garden still needs some care. If the
ground isn’t too frosty, you can fork over vacant ground
to help get rid of pests. Water sparingly this month, and
as ever, clear away any debris that may have gathered
in your garden.
Mairi’s key jobs for the month:

• Fork over empty beds
• Plant hardy seeds
• Plant seasonal outdoor tubs
• Clean, oil, and sharpen the metal blades of gardening
  tools
  Top pick: Kent & Stowe Hand Trowel

January

Time to take stock and plan ahead – how do you want
your garden to look over the next year? You can also
buy early flowers like potted snowdrops or crocuses if
you’re looking to bring some colour to these colder
days. Just make sure to cover vulnerable plants using a
horticultural fleece to protect them from the cold.
Mairi’s key jobs for the month:

• Start your garden journal for 2025
• Plant early flowers
• Shred your Christmas tree and use it as mulch around
  acid loving plants
• Insulate outdoor taps with a tap cover
  Top pick: Verve White Plastic Fleece, Pack of 3

February

Start preparing the ground for new beds as soon as
possible so the ground is in a good position for you to
start putting plants in. Remove weeds from beds and
use black polythene on the soil where you’re planning on
planting to warm it up. Now is also a good time to prune
your trees and shrubs, but don’t cut them all the way
back, just the oldest branches.
Mairi’s key jobs for the month:

• Weed and prepare your beds
• Prune trees and shrubs
• Start using a propagator to germinate your seedlings
• Replace any rusty or broken gardening tools
  Top pick: Magnusson Tree Bypass Telescopic Loppers

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