As summer draws to a close, the garden can be looking a little tired after months of sunshine, barbecues, children playing and regular use. But September and October are actually some of the best months to get those outdoor jobs sorted before the colder, wetter and windier weather arrives.
For homeowners across Thirsk, Northallerton, Easingwold, Ripon, York and the surrounding villages, autumn is the perfect time to tackle those jobs you've been putting off.
From repairing a loose fence panel to cleaning your patio, checking your shed roof and giving the lawn some attention, a little preparation now can save you time, money and headaches during the winter.
Here are 10 jobs we recommend putting on your autumn garden checklist.
1. Check and Repair Your Fences
Your garden fence can take a real battering over the winter months, particularly during periods of strong wind.
Before the autumn weather really sets in, walk around your garden and check for:
- Loose or damaged fence panels
- Rotten timber
- Loose posts
- Missing or damaged gravel boards
- Gaps underneath fencing
- Loose or broken fixings
- Gates that aren't closing properly
A small problem that is easily repaired in September can become a much bigger problem after a few winter storms.
Tip: Pay particular attention to fence posts. If a post is already moving when you push it, it's unlikely to become more secure when the winter winds arrive!
2. Clean Your Patio and Driveway
Moss, algae, dirt and grime can build up on patios and driveways throughout the year.
As autumn brings more rain and damp conditions, these surfaces can become increasingly slippery.
The RHS recommends cleaning patios and other hard surfaces during September to remove moss and algae and help prevent them becoming slippery over winter.
A good pressure wash can make a remarkable difference.
It can remove years of accumulated dirt from:
- Block paving
- Concrete
- Patio slabs
- Paths
- Steps
- Garden walls
It's also a great time to clean the area before putting away your summer garden furniture.
Don't wait until spring!
Spring is traditionally when everyone starts thinking about cleaning the garden, but by then the winter weather has already done its worst.
Getting the patio cleaned now means you're starting winter with a clean, safer outdoor space.
Want us to help? find out more here
3. Check Your Shed Before the Rain Arrives
Your shed is probably one of the most overlooked structures in the garden.
It's easy to assume that because it has been fine for years, it will continue to be fine.
But a small problem with a shed roof can quickly become a serious leak once the autumn rain starts.
Check:
- Roof felt
- Roof edges
- Timber panels
- Doors
- Hinges
- Locks
- Windows
- Floor
- Gutters, if fitted
The RHS specifically recommends repairing leaking shed roofs before autumn rain arrives.
It's also worth checking whether the timber needs treating or repainting. September can still provide useful dry spells for painting and preserving outdoor wooden structures.
A few hours of maintenance now could save you the cost of replacing the shed later.
4. Give Your Garden Furniture Some Attention
If you've invested in decent garden furniture, don't simply leave it outside and hope for the best.
Give everything a clean and inspect it for damage.
Look for:
- Loose screws
- Cracked timber
- Rusting fixings
- Damaged feet
- Loose joints
- Peeling paint or treatment
If you have somewhere suitable, store furniture under cover during the worst of the winter.
The RHS also recommends cleaning and storing garden furniture when it is no longer being used.
If storage isn't possible, make sure furniture is positioned somewhere sheltered and protected where possible.
5. Give Your Lawn an Autumn Makeover
Your lawn has probably had plenty of use over the summer.
September and October are excellent months to repair summer damage and prepare your grass for the winter.
Depending on the condition of your lawn, autumn maintenance can include:
- Removing thatch and moss
- Aerating compacted soil
- Repairing bare patches
- Reseeding
- Applying an appropriate autumn lawn feed
- Removing fallen leaves
- Keeping the grass at a suitable height
The RHS identifies September and October as key months for autumn lawn care, with aeration helping improve the movement of air and water around the grass roots.
For gardens in northern England, autumn lawn work can start particularly early. The RHS specifically recommends beginning autumn lawn care in northern England during September.
Don't leave fallen leaves covering your lawn
A thick layer of leaves can block light and moisture from reaching the grass.
Regularly rake or remove them and either compost them or use them to create leaf mould.
6. Trim Hedges and Tidy Overgrown Areas
September and October are a good opportunity to bring overgrown hedges and garden borders back under control.
A tidy garden isn't just about appearance. Overgrown vegetation can:
- Block paths
- Cover fences
- Damage structures
- Make access difficult
- Provide hiding places for unwanted pests
- Make the garden feel much smaller
However, it's important not to simply cut everything back indiscriminately.
Some plants and wildlife benefit from being left alone through the colder months, and certain trees and shrubs have specific pruning requirements.
The RHS notes that October is the last opportunity in many situations to trim deciduous hedges before winter, while also highlighting specific pruning work that can be carried out on climbing and rambling roses.
If you're unsure about a particular plant, it's always best to check before cutting.
7. Check Your Gates
Your garden gate is often one of the first things to suffer as timber moves and ground conditions change.
A gate that worked perfectly in June can suddenly start sticking in September.
Check:
- Hinges
- Latches
- Locks
- Posts
- Gate alignment
- Timber condition
If your gate is sagging, don't simply keep lifting it every time you close it!
A relatively straightforward repair can often save you from having to replace the entire gate.
And if you're trying to keep dogs or cats safely inside the garden, a properly closing gate is particularly important.
8. Check Outdoor Buildings, Trellis and Other Structures
Take a walk around your garden and look at all the things you've probably stopped noticing.
This includes:
- Pergolas
- Trellis
- Garden arches
- Greenhouses
- Children's play equipment
- Raised beds
- Compost bins
- Log stores
- Outdoor storage
Look for anything that has become loose, rotten or unstable.
Winter winds can turn a small maintenance problem into a dangerous situation surprisingly quickly.
The RHS recommends checking and repairing garden structures and also advises checking tree supports and ties before winter gales.
9. Plant Your Spring Bulbs
Getting your garden ready for winter doesn't mean everything has to be about tidying and maintenance.
Autumn is also the time to start thinking about next spring.
September is a good time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, with options including:
- Daffodils
- Crocuses
- Snowdrops
- Tulips
- Hyacinths
The RHS lists planting spring-flowering bulbs among its September gardening jobs.
There's something particularly satisfying about doing a little work in October and then being rewarded with colour when spring arrives.
10. Make a List of All Those Jobs You've Been Putting Off!
And finally, this is probably the most important one.
You know those jobs.
The ones you've been saying:
"I'll get around to that."
The loose fence panel.
The shed door that doesn't quite close.
The broken gate latch.
The garden furniture that needs repairing.
The patio that hasn't been cleaned for years.
The fence that needs painting.
The garden that has become overgrown.
The shed that needs building.
The new garden furniture that's still sitting in its boxes.
Autumn is the perfect time to get them done.
Once winter arrives, outdoor jobs become more difficult, wetter and generally less pleasant.
Get them sorted now and you can spend the winter knowing that your garden is ready.
A Simple Autumn Garden Checklist
If you don't know where to start, grab a cup of coffee and walk around your garden.
Ask yourself:
☐ Are my fences secure?
☐ Are my gates working properly?
☐ Does my shed have any leaks?
☐ Does any timber need treating or painting?
☐ Is my patio slippery or covered in moss?
☐ Does my lawn need repairing?
☐ Do my hedges need trimming?
☐ Are any garden structures loose or damaged?
☐ Can I store or protect my garden furniture?
☐ What jobs have I been putting off all summer?
If you can tick everything off before the really bad weather arrives, you'll be in a much better position when winter comes.
Need a Hand Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter?
Not everyone has the time, tools or inclination to spend their weekends tackling garden maintenance jobs.
That's where Thirsk Handyman Services can help.
We provide a friendly, reliable handyman service for homeowners across Thirsk and surrounding areas, helping with those practical jobs around the home and garden that need doing.
Our services include:
- Fence repairs and maintenance
- Garden maintenance
- Hedge cutting
- Shed construction and repairs
- Painting and decorating
- Patio and driveway pressure washing
- Garden furniture assembly
- Flat-pack assembly
- General property maintenance
- Small repairs and odd jobs
Whether you've got one small job or a list of things that need doing, we're happy to discuss what you need.
Don't wait for the first winter storm!
Getting your garden ready for autumn doesn't have to mean spending every weekend working on it.
Let Thirsk Handyman Services take care of the jobs you've been putting off.
📞 Contact Steve at Thirsk Handyman Services for a friendly, no-obligation quote.
Thirsk Handyman Services
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