Introduction

From autumn garden preparation late August is particularly important if you want a thriving, healthy garden in autumn, winter and spring. This is the time to start the key gardening tasks that will lay the foundations for the growth and health of your plants for the coming year. Here's what to look out for, how to do the most important tasks professionally and how to optimise your blog post for SEO.

Why start preparing your autumn garden at the end of August?

There are many benefits to gardening in late August:

• Ideal time for for soil loosening, for nutrient replenishment.

• Prevent nutrient deficiencies, disease spread and weeds.

• Early pruning and cutting back can prolong flowering.

Cutting back plants - Refresh and strengthen

• Remove wilted flowers and stems that have bloomed, this will stimulate new blooms.

• Prune overgrown ornamental plants and hedges.

• For herbs (e.g. mint, sage), cutting back will renew the stems and improve the autumn aromas.

Nutrient replenishment in your garden

• Use mature compost or well-degraded organic fertiliser to enrich the soil.

• The use of foliage, mulch or grass clippings helps to retain moisture and provides a steady supply of nutrients.

• When fertilising in autumn containing phosphorus and potassium mixtures are recommended that support root development - add little nitrogen to avoid excessive leaf growth.

Soil loosening and seedbed preparation

• Loosen the soil with a pitchfork or hoe to a depth of about 20-25cm for better ventilation and water permeability.

• If you have planned autumn sowing (e.g. spinach, lettuce), now prepare the soil.

• Deep soil loosening prevents the harmful effects of waterlogging and root rot.

Pruning ornamental plants, pre-winter preparation

• For nutmeg, leander, citrus, cut back the shoots by early September.

• Move frost-sensitive ornamental plants indoors or to a bright, cool place.

• Check and, if necessary, replace the soil in the pot, aerate the medium well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the best time to loosen the soil and sow in autumn?
The last week of August, when the ground is not yet hard but temperatures are already dropping.

What nutrients should I use in the garden at the end of summer?
A balanced mixture containing phosphorus and potassium is recommended.

How to overwinter geraniums or citrus trees?
Cool (8-12°C), bright place, moderate watering - overwatering most often leads to rot.

Summary

The end of August is a temporary but crucial time for the garden. The work done at this time cutting back, nutrient replenishment, soil loosening and pruning will help your garden start autumn healthy and thriving, right up until the first frosts.