Essential Landscaping Autumn Garden Tips for Lincoln Homes
You can always tell when autumn’s on its way. The evenings start drawing in, the jumpers come out of the cupboard, and the smell of bonfires drifts through the air. But while you might be tempted to retreat indoors with a cuppa, your garden still needs a bit of TLC before winter sets in.
Here in Lincolnshire, autumn is the season that sets the tone for how your garden looks next spring. Ignore it now, and you’ll be cursing yourself when weeds pop up where daffodils should be, or when your lawn resembles a patchwork quilt rather than a sea of green.
So, let’s take a look at the essential landscaping autumn garden tips for Lincoln homes – jobs that will make all the difference once the frost arrives.
1. Give Your Lawn Some Love
Lawns have a tough time in summer. Between the kids’ paddling pool, barbecues, and weeks of hot, dry weather, it’s a wonder they survive at all. By autumn, they’re crying out for attention.
Start by scarifying (that’s just a fancy way of saying rake out the moss and dead grass) and aerating. A garden fork will do if you don’t have specialist kit – just stab holes across the lawn to improve drainage and allow air to get to the roots.
It’s also a good time to overseed any bare patches. Pop into a Lincoln garden centre – you’ll often find lawn seed at discounted prices this time of year. With the soil still warm and moist, seeds germinate quickly. By spring, you’ll thank yourself for getting it sorted.
2. Tidy Up Borders and Beds
Autumn isn’t about stripping everything bare – it’s about being smart. Cut back perennials that have finished flowering, but leave some seed heads standing. Plants like echinacea and rudbeckia look stunning with a dusting of frost and provide food for birds through the colder months.
Clear out weeds now, while they’re still small. Trust me, come March you’ll wish you’d spent ten minutes pulling them up. And if you’re topping up your borders, now’s a cracking time to head to garden centres. End-of-season sales mean you can pick up shrubs and perennials for a bargain, ready to plant into that freshly prepped soil.
If you’re thinking about new landscaping features like raised beds or fresh paving, autumn is the perfect time to get in touch with ALS Landscaping. The ground’s easier to work with now than in the depths of winter, and you’ll have everything in place ready to enjoy when spring rolls around.
3. Plant Ahead for Spring Colour
It might feel odd planting when everything else in the garden is starting to die back, but autumn is the best time for bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, crocuses – get them in the ground now and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display in a few months’ time.
Lincolnshire gardens, with their mix of clay and loam soils, are generally great for bulbs. Just make sure you pop them in a well-drained spot. Nobody wants rotten tulips come March.
Top tip: plant bulbs in groups of odd numbers for a natural look. Scatter them across a border and plant where they land, rather than lining them up like little soldiers.
4. Protect Paving and Hard Surfaces
As autumn rain sets in, patios, paths, and driveways can get slippery. Give yours a good clean now to avoid any nasty accidents when the frost hits. A pressure washer works wonders, but if that sounds like too much hassle, ALS Landscaping’s paving services can help with maintenance and sealing, keeping everything safe and looking sharp.
It’s also worth brushing kiln-dried sand into block paving joints. This prevents weeds sneaking in over winter and helps stabilise the surface. It’s one of those jobs that takes less than an hour but makes a big difference.
5. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch
If there’s one autumn job that pays you back tenfold, it’s mulching. Spread a thick layer of compost, bark, or leaf mould over your borders. It locks in moisture, suppresses weeds, and insulates plant roots from the cold.
Think of it as giving your garden a nice winter duvet. Plants will thank you by bouncing back stronger in spring.
6. Prune Trees and Shrubs
Autumn is pruning season for many trees and shrubs. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and shape. But don’t get carried away – some plants prefer pruning in spring, so it’s worth checking before you start hacking away.
If you’re unsure, or if the job’s too big for your tools, it’s wise to call in the professionals. A badly pruned tree isn’t just unsightly – it can be unsafe.
7. Think Wildlife
Autumn’s not just about people – our feathered and furry friends need a hand too. Leave some seed heads for birds, pile up logs or leaves in a corner for hedgehogs, and keep bird baths topped up.
If you’re keen on attracting wildlife long term, why not plan a landscaping feature designed with nature in mind? A small wildlife pond, a hedge instead of fencing, or a planting scheme rich in pollinator-friendly plants can all make a big difference. Take a look at our blog on Transforming Your Garden into a Wildlife Haven for more ideas.
Conclusion
Autumn gardening might not have the glamour of spring blooms or summer barbecues, but it’s the season that makes all the difference. Preparing your lawn, planting bulbs, mulching, tidying borders, and protecting hard surfaces now will set you up for a garden that not only survives winter but thrives come spring.
And remember, if you fancy tackling something bigger this season – whether it’s new paving, raised beds, or a complete redesign – ALS Landscaping in Lincoln are here to help. We’ll get the hard work done now so you can enjoy the results when the sun returns.
So grab your gloves, put the kettle on standby, and give your garden the autumn prep it deserves. Come March, you’ll be the one neighbours are peering over the fence at.
FAQs
When’s the best time to plant spring bulbs in Lincolnshire?
September through November is ideal. The soil is still warm enough for roots to establish before the frost sets in.
Should I mow my lawn in autumn?
Yes, but keep the blades higher. You don’t want to scalp it before winter.
Can I still landscape in autumn?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of the best times. The soil is workable, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the results by spring.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to find out more about our wide range of landscaping and garden design services please contact the team at ALS Landscaping today.