Autumn is one of the most important times of year for planting. While many gardeners think the season is winding down, it's actually the perfect time to prepare your garden for months of colour ahead.

Planting now gives plants time to establish strong roots before winter, resulting in healthier plants and better displays come spring.

But Why Autumn? We’ve pulled together a handy guide for you!

The benefits of autumn planting

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Warm Soil

Soil is still warm from summer, helping roots establish quickly.

Natural Rainfall

Increased rainfall means less watering and stronger establishment.

Less Heat Stress

Cooler temperatures mean less stress from heat and drought.

Stronger Roots

Plants build a stronger root system before the demands of spring growth.

What to plant?

Pansies

Violas

Wallflowers

Daffodils

Tulips

Unlike most spring bulbs, tulips are best left until late October or November to plant, rather than going in with the rest of your October bulbs. This later planting reduces the risk of tulip fire, a fungal disease that thrives in warmer soil and can distort or scorch the leaves.

How to plant successfully in Autumn

Prepare the Soil

Add compost or organic matter and improve drainage if needed.

Choose the Right Plants

Select hardy, cold-tolerant varieties suited to autumn and winter conditions.

Water Carefully

Water after planting but avoid overwatering as temperatures drop.

Protect Young Plants

Use fleece if temperatures drop suddenly and plant in sheltered positions.

A little preparation in autumn leads to stronger plants and more beautiful blooms in spring.

Get more from your bulbs: Lasagne Planting

If you're planting bulbs in pots or containers, try "lasagne planting" - layering different bulb varieties at different depths in the same pot. Plant the latest, tallest-flowering bulbs (like tulips) deepest, with mid-season bulbs above them and the earliest, shortest varieties (like crocuses) nearest the surface.

Why it works:

Gives weeks of continuous colour from a single pot
Makes the most of limited container space
Each layer flowers in succession as the season progresses

Established Plants - Dividing and replanting perennials

Autumn is also the ideal time to lift and divide congested clumps of perennials such as hostas, rudbeckia and dahlias. Splitting them now gives the divided sections time to re-establish before winter, resulting in healthier, more vigorous plants next year — and you get more plants for free.

Pruning

Prune back lavender & rosemary by a third. This will ensure a tight compact shrub for next year, never cut into the old wood.
Cut evergreen hedges like yew & laurel to ensure a nice tidy hedge through winter & into early spring.

General housekeeping

As the leaves begin to fall, take them up for your compost bin. Ensure to exclude old diseased leaves. If these leaves are placed in your compost bin, they will continue the cycle and introduce disease into your compost.

Autumn Planting Guide