Autumn Jobs for a Sustainable Garden
Autumn is one of the most rewarding times of year in the garden. The rush of summer has passed, and the cooler days are perfect for preparing your space so it thrives through winter and bursts back into life next spring. At Chew Gardens, we believe every job can be done with sustainability in mind – working with nature, not against it.
Here are our top autumn garden jobs for a sustainable garden:
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🍂 1. Leave Some Leaves
Instead of bagging up every fallen leaf, think about how they can benefit your garden. Pile them into a corner for wildlife habitat, or spread them over borders as a natural mulch. They’ll break down over winter, enriching your soil and feeding the ecosystem. Composting and sheet mulching.
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🌱 2. Mulch and Protect Soil
Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion and nutrient loss. Use compost, leaf mould, or woodchip to cover empty patches. This locks in moisture, protects soil life, and reduces the need for future watering and feeding.
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🌼 3. Plant for the Future
Autumn is the perfect time to plant perennials, trees, and shrubs. The soil is still warm, encouraging root growth, and the wetter months ahead will reduce the need for extra watering. Native species and pollinator-friendly plants are especially valuable.
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🐞 4. Create Winter Homes for Wildlife
Rather than cutting everything back, leave seed heads, stems, and log piles in place. They offer food and shelter for birds, insects, and small mammals. If you tidy too much, you remove vital habitat.
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🌿 5. Compost and Recycle
Clear away spent annuals and veg plants – but don’t send them to landfill. Chop them up and add them to your compost heap, balancing with brown material (cardboard, straw, woodchip) for a healthy mix. Composting closes the loop, turning waste into rich soil food.
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🧑🌾 6. Repair, Reuse, and Plan Ahead
Autumn is also the time to take stock. Fix tools instead of replacing them, reuse old pots, and think about changes you’d like to make in spring. Sustainable gardening is as much about slowing down and planning as it is about planting.
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🌍 Small Steps, Big Impact
By working with nature in autumn, you’re not just preparing your garden for next year – you’re helping to build healthier soil, stronger plants, and a thriving ecosystem.
At Chew Gardens, we specialise in developing gardens that evolve naturally with the seasons. Whether it’s clearing and shaping an overgrown space or creating a long-term design that’s both beautiful and sustainable, we’re here to help.
