Your Autumn Cottage Garden Checklist

As the abundance of summer fades, autumn is one of the most important — and satisfying — seasons in the cottage garden calendar. What you do now shapes how well your garden bounces back next spring. Here's what to prioritise.

September

Divide overcrowded perennials such as hardy geraniums, sedums and asters while the soil is still warm, giving new divisions time to root before winter.
Collect and save seed from favourites like foxgloves, nigella and poppies for free plants next year.
Start planting spring bulbs — daffodils can go in from early September, though it's worth waiting until November for tulips to reduce the risk of tulip fire disease.

October

Cut back faded perennials, but leave some seed heads standing — plants like echinacea and teasel provide food for birds and shelter for overwintering insects.
Rake up and compost fallen leaves, or better still, pile them separately to make leaf mould, a wonderful soil conditioner for cottage garden borders.
Lift and store tender bulbs such as dahlias in frost-prone areas, once the foliage has been blackened by the first light frost.
Mulch borders generously with well-rotted manure or garden compost once the soil is damp — this feeds the soil and suppresses weeds through winter.

November

Plant bare-root roses, hedging and fruit trees — autumn is the best time for bare-root planting, giving roots months to establish before spring growth begins.
Protect tender pots by moving them close to the house or wrapping them in horticultural fleece.
Clean and oil tools before storing them for winter, and give your mower its final cut and service.
Check garden structures — arches, obelisks and fences — for any repairs needed before winter weather sets in.

A gentler approach to tidying

It's worth resisting the urge to cut everything back to bare earth. A cottage garden left slightly untidy over winter — with seed heads, hollow stems and leaf litter — provides essential habitat for ladybirds, solitary bees and other beneficial insects that will repay you many times over come spring. Think of fully "tidying" as a spring job, not an autumn one.

Get these jobs done over the next few weeks and you'll head into winter with a garden that's protected, nourished, and quietly getting ready for its next season of growth.