Why Winterising Matters

A few hours in autumn saves significant work in spring. Plants that are protected properly come back stronger, mulched soil retains structure and moisture, and tools that are stored correctly last for decades.

Complete Winterising Checklist

  1. 1

    Cut back perennials

    After the first frost, cut herbaceous perennials back to about 10–15cm above ground. Leave seed heads on ornamental grasses and echinacea over winter — they provide food for birds and add structure to the garden.

  2. 2

    Mulch garden beds

    Apply 5–10cm of mulch (bark chips, straw or compost) over garden beds. This insulates roots from frost, retains moisture and suppresses winter weeds. Keep mulch away from plant stems to prevent rot.

  3. 3

    Lift frost-sensitive bulbs

    Dahlias, cannas, gladioli and begonias will not survive hard frosts in the ground. Dig them up after the first frost kills the foliage, let them dry for a few days, then store in paper bags or boxes of dry sand in a cool frost-free shed.

  4. 4

    Plant spring bulbs

    Autumn is the time to plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and alliums for spring flowering. Plant them pointy side up at a depth of roughly 3 times their diameter.

  5. 5

    Protect vulnerable plants

    Wrap tree ferns, bananas and other frost-sensitive plants in horticultural fleece. Move potted plants to a sheltered spot or against a warm wall. Bubble wrap around pots prevents the root ball from freezing.

  6. 6

    Drain and store hoses and irrigation

    Water left in hoses and pipes will freeze and split them. Drain everything, coil hoses loosely and store in a shed or garage.

  7. 7

    Compost spent plants

    Pull out finished annuals and vegetables and add healthy material to the compost heap. Do not compost diseased plants — bin them instead.

  8. 8

    Clean, sharpen and oil tools

    Clean soil off all tools, sand off any rust with wire wool, sharpen spades, hoes and secateurs, then wipe metal parts with an oily cloth. Stored this way tools last a lifetime.

  9. 9

    Service the lawn mower

    Drain the fuel (or use a fuel stabiliser), clean the deck, sharpen the blade and change the oil if it has not been done this season. It will be ready to go in spring.

The best winter garden taskDig compost and well-rotted manure into empty vegetable beds now. Winter rain and frost will break it down beautifully, leaving the soil in perfect condition for spring planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

After the first frost has killed off tender annuals and before the ground freezes hard. In most of the UK and northern parts of Australia this is October-November. In warmer Australian climates, a light tidy and mulch in June is usually sufficient.
In cold climates, give roses a light trim in autumn to prevent wind rock (wind catching long stems and loosening the roots) then do the main pruning in late winter/early spring. In mild climates, autumn is fine for a fuller prune.
Much less than in summer, but do not stop entirely. Evergreen plants and newly planted trees and shrubs still need water during dry spells in winter. Pots dry out faster than garden beds and may need occasional watering even in cold weather.