Autumn Garden Checklist for Seaham: 7 Jobs to Do Before Winter
Autumn in Seaham is the time to prepare your garden for colder, wetter weather. Fallen leaves can smother lawns, tender plants may need shelter, and outside taps should be checked before temperatures drop.
Whether you have a small front garden or a larger family garden in County Durham, these seven practical jobs help keep your garden tidy, healthy and ready for spring.
1. Mow less often – and a little higher
As growth slows, mow only when the grass needs it and raise the cutting height slightly. Longer grass copes better with cold, wet weather. Avoid mowing when the lawn is frosty or waterlogged – it damages the grass and compacts the soil. The last cut is usually when the grass stops growing, which depends on the weather rather than a fixed date.
2. Keep the lawn clear of leaves
Fallen leaves left on the lawn block light and hold moisture, which weakens the grass underneath. Rake or blow them off regularly. Leaves are useful elsewhere: piled in a corner or a bag, they rot down into leaf mould for your borders.
3. Give hedges a final tidy
Autumn is a good time for a last trim. The RSPB recommends not cutting hedges from March to August, the main nesting season, but wild birds' nests that are in use are protected by law all year round. Before trimming, check carefully for active nests and leave that part of the hedge until later if you find one. A tidy shape now keeps the hedge neat through the winter.
4. Clear the borders – but not everything
Cut back plants that have collapsed or gone mushy, and pull out weeds while the soil is soft. Seed heads and hollow stems can stay: they give birds food and insects shelter over winter.
5. Deal with the garden waste
Autumn produces a lot of clippings and leaves. Compost what you can, and check your council's garden waste collection dates, as many collections pause over the winter months.
6. Protect outside taps and pots
Before the first hard frost, turn off and drain outside taps if you can, or fit a tap cover, so the pipe does not freeze and split. Move tender plants in pots to a sheltered spot by the house, and raise pots slightly so water can drain away.
7. Clean and store your tools
Brush soil and grass off the mower, shears and spades before putting them away, and dry them so they do not rust. A dry shed or garage is ideal. Sharpening blades now means everything is ready for the first cut in spring.
A note for coastal gardens
Gardens near the coast can be exposed to strong winds and salt carried in the air. Check whether exposed plants need extra shelter, secure lightweight pots and garden furniture, and avoid working on slippery lawns after prolonged rain.
Need a hand getting your garden ready for winter?
From clearing fallen leaves and tidying borders to lawn mowing and hedge trimming, Farmer & Co. helps with garden care in Seaham and across County Durham. See our services and prices.
Tell us your postcode and which jobs you need help with. Email hello@farmerandco.co.uk and we send you a fixed price for the work.