10 gardening tips for Autumn, from the Yeo Valley Organic Garden

The days may be getting shorter and the nights colder, but there’s still ample opportunity to get out and about in the garden throughout Autumn. Nathan Apperley, Head Gardener at Yeo Organic Garden, shares his top gardening tips as we head into the new season: 

1. Mulch your bare soil

Mulching is essential for keeping our soil healthy. At Yeo, we are using a mixture of aged cow manure and woodchip to mulch most of our perennial planting. The balance of bacteria and fungi in the mulch means our soil microbes are getting what they need to keep our plants strong and healthy. 

2. Diving perennials

Early Autumn tends to be a good time to lift and divide herbaceous perennials. The ground is still warm, so roots will soon start to grow again. This dividing will reinvigorate the plant and encourage it to put on lots of growth next year! If you are in cooler climes or areas prone to waterlogging, maybe wait until Spring.  

3. Collect leaves to make leafmould  

Fallen leaves are a fantastic resource. We collect them all and store separately to make our own leafmould – or to add to our compost piles during the summer when there is less Carboniferous material around.  Leafmould on its own isn't nutrient-rich but is a fantastic soil conditioner, and it's free! 

4. Plant Spring bulbs 

Regular visitors to Yeo Organic Garden will know that we do Spring bulbs on a grand scale! Now is the perfect time to get them in. 

5. Sow green manures on empty veg or annual beds 

Green manures are a brilliant way of protecting your soil from winter weather. Slowing down heavy rainfall through a layer of foliage means water will slowly trickle through the soil rather than bashing at the surface, causing compaction. They help to mitigate topsoil erosion, their roots aerate the soil, and they pump carbon and sugars down into the soil, keeping our soil biology working and ready for Spring!  

6. Plant shrubs and trees

Cooler air temperatures and warm ground temperatures mean this time of year is perfect for planting trees and shrubs. After planting, stake as required, water in well and mulch about 10cm deep with woodchip. Keep an eye on them and water as needed well into the next summer until they are established. 

7. Laying turf

If you need to lay turf, I've always found it's best done in the Autumn. Cooler temperatures mean less watering and your new lawn will get growing quickly. Once it has rooted and put on growth, you can gently mow it, taking off just the tips, and begin more regular mowing in the Spring. 

8. Sowing broad beans

Sowing broad beans now is a great way to get ahead in the veg garden. We sow them directly into the soil and also do a back-up sowing into 9cm pots in case any don't pull through. Watch out for mice – they love them! 

9. Planting Japanese onion sets and garlic bulbs

We planted onion 'Senshyu' last October and have had a brilliant crop this year. Just keep them damp, and make sure birds aren't pulling them out, then in the Spring they will really get going! Garlic bulbs can also be planted during the Autumn. 

10. Feed the birds

We feed the birds here from October to late March. Remember to clean out feeders regularly and vary the food options. Feeding them over the winter encourages them into your garden, and when you slow down feeding in the Spring, they will be comfortable in your space and start looking for slugs and pests!