Fall Garden Jobs
Collect Seeds: Collect seeds from your favorite perennials and annuals. Seeds can be stored in envelopes or paper bags in a cool dry place. Label and date the seeds collected to be stored as old seeds lose germination viability year after year. Collected seeds can be incorporated in next year’s garden and they make great gifts for friends.
Protect Plants and Trees: Add a generous amount of mulch to specialty plants and roses. Mulch provides a blanket of insulation to protect roots during the cold months to come. Wrap the trunks of trees that are three years old or younger. Tree wrap protects bark from scalding winter sun which can cause bark to crack, inviting pests and disease to reside inside.
Plant Bulbs, Perennials and Woody Plants: Plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus and alliums. The cold temperatures of fall and winter are essential for bulbs to bloom the following spring.
FROM CREATE ACADEMY: The cutting garden
Plant spring flowering bulbs
In order to ensure you have flowering trees and plants in your garden next spring, be sure to start sowing and planting this autumns.
Make sure you get your spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus’ in now as the ground will still hold residual warmth from the summer months, allowing plenty of time for new roots to establish before the spring sunshine arrives. Take a look at our favourite tulip bulbs to plant, or use a mixture of Iris reticulata, Hyacinth 'Midnight Mystique', Narcissus 'Replete', Fritillaria meleagris and 'Ruby Giant' Crocus, to add dramatic colour to your cutting garden and vase. Alternatively, discover our Guide to Spring Flowering Bulbs with the Burford Garden Company.
Sow hardy annuals, such as cerinthe, ammi, scabiosa and cornflowers, for flowers early next summer. Sowing early will ensure a substantial plant size which will flower up to 6 weeks sooner than those sown in spring. Consider sowing the following: briza, bupleurum, calendula, centaurea, Papaver rhoeas, Papaver somniferum, and scabious. Remember to keep them weed-free as they germinate.
Keep deadheading and weeding all your perennials
Collect seeds from perennials and annuals and store them somewhere cool and dry in preparation for planting.
Deadhead your dahlias. Cut all the tired flowers off to the buds below them. They should continue to keep flowering until the first hard frost of winter hits. Pick a few pristine heads as you go and arrange them in small glasses or bottles on the dining table.
Deadhead all your tender perennials – pelargoniums, arctotis, argyranthemums and trailing verbenas. This will give them a new spurt of life.
Pinch out the tips of wallflowers to promote bushier growth.
Prune climbing/rambling roses once they've finished flowering. Remove suckers from the base of roses and trees. Remove any fallen leaves from the base of roses to prevent the spread of disease.
Plant out and transplant biennials
Transplanting during autumn will benefit the plants growth in the months of cooler, moister weather ahead.
The majority of perennials, including the stately lupins, hollyhocks and delphiniums, can be grown in the nursery bed in spring, and transplanted to their permanent positions in the border in autumn, to enable successful flowering the following season.
Plant wallflowers
It's necessary to put wallflowers in place now. These spring-flowering biennials need to get their roots down well before flowering. Wallflowers work well when planted with spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, which are also to be planted in autumn and can be grown successfully in pots.
Perennials, shrubs & trees
Planting
Later in the month, plant spring bedding such as primroses, polyanthus, primulas, miniature daffodils and violas for a colourful and successful spring display.
Consider planting new perennials as well as trees/shrubs/climbers.
Plant pot-grown infant trees whilst the soil is still warm and moist before temperatures drop.
Divide and replant perennials to ease any congested areas in your borders. Later in the month bring tender perennials, such as pelargoniums, inside to protect them from the frosts.
Deadheading and weeding
Keep deadheading and weeding all of your perennials.
Collect seeds from perennials and annuals and store them somewhere cool and dry in preparation for planting.
Deadhead dahlias. Cut all the spent flowers off to the buds below them. They should continue to keep flowering until the first hard frost of winter hits. Pick a few pristine heads as you go and arrange them in small glasses or bottles on the dining table.
Deadhead all your tender perennials – pelargoniums, arctotis, argyranthemums and trailing verbenas. This will give them a new spurt of life.
Pinch out the tips of wallflowers to promote bushier growth.
Prune rambling roses once they've finished flowering. Remove suckers from the base of roses and trees. Remove any fallen leaves from the base of roses to prevent the spread of diseases.
General garden maintenance
Look after your soil
Add a layer of mulch to your borders during these autumnal months in order to prepare your soil for a successful border. Once you have weeded and prepared your borders, spread a thick layer of compost or a new layer of mulch over your bed evenly. Mulch is decomposed organic matter that helps the soil retain moisture, inhibiting weeds, and protecting the roots of plants.
Pond maintenance
Put netting across ponds to stop autumn leaves falling in and rotting.
Remove duckweed, pondweed and algae from water features and ponds.
Collect fallen leaves
Collect all fallen leaves and put them into leaf mould bags, dampen the bags and store them in a corner of the garden for a year or so. These will turn into perfect leaf mould and can be used for compost and mulching.
Be mindful to collect and bin apples, plums and pears infected with brown rot, this will help to reduce the spread of this fungal disease.
Jobs to do from your armchair
Begin planning next year’s garden by making rough sketches of your flower borders and vegetable plot. This will help you spot what worked in your garden and what didn't and promote conscious seasonal gardening.
Get organised by ordering spring-flowering bulbs now for planting this autumn.
Order trees and shrubs. They will grow vigorously next spring if planted this autumn.
Order your strawberries, raspberries, currant bushes and other berry fruits for cropping next year as these are best planted during their dormant season.
Explore our expert online gardening courses to learn more top tips and advice on maximising your garden during every season of the year.
Kitchen Garden: Getting Started
How to Start Planning a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden (Even If You’re a Total Beginner)
Have you been daydreaming about stepping outside to snip fresh basil for your pasta, or pulling crisp carrots straight from the soil for a garden-to-table snack? You’re not alone. Raised bed vegetable gardening is one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to grow your own food—no matter how big (or small) your space is.
Whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a sunny patch beside your patio, here’s your beginner-friendly guide to planning a raised bed garden that will thrive.
Step 1: Pick the Right Spot
The success of your garden starts with the right location. Most vegetables need 6–8 hours of full sun per day, so look for the sunniest spot in your yard. Bonus points if it’s also:
Close to a water source
Protected from strong winds
Flat or gently sloping for better drainage
💡 Tip: Watch your yard throughout the day and track where the sun hits longest. Even a few extra hours of sunshine can make a big difference!
Step 2: Decide on Your Raised Bed Size
Raised beds come in all shapes and sizes, but for first-timers, simplicity wins. A great starting size is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, and about 12 to 18 inches deep. Why 4 feet wide? That allows you to reach the center from either side without stepping into the bed (which can compact the soil).
Start with one or two beds—you can always add more later once you get the hang of things.
Step 3: Choose Your Materials
You can buy pre-made raised beds, kits, or DIY your own. Popular materials include:
Cedar or redwood: Naturally rot-resistant and long-lasting
Pressure-treated lumber: Affordable and durable, but make sure it’s safe for food gardens
Galvanized steel or corrugated metal: Modern look and great longevity
Recycled materials: Think old bricks, stone, or even upcycled pallets (untreated only)
Just avoid anything that could leach harmful chemicals into the soil (like railroad ties or old painted wood).
Step 4: Plan What You’ll Grow
Now the fun part—dreaming up your veggie wish list!
As a beginner, choose low-maintenance, high-reward crops like:
Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale)
Tomatoes
Carrots
Peppers
Zucchini
Herbs (basil, thyme, chives)
Consider how much space each plant needs and whether it prefers cool or warm weather. A quick sketch or garden planner app can help visualize your layout.
🌱 Tip: Grow what you actually like to eat. If your kids hate radishes, don’t waste the space.
Step 5: Fill Your Bed With the Right Soil
Healthy soil is the secret to a thriving garden. For raised beds, aim for a balanced mix like:
60% topsoil
30% compost
10% peat moss or coconut coir (for moisture retention)
You can also buy pre-blended raised bed soil at your local garden center. Just make sure it’s loose, rich in organic matter, and drains well.
Step 6: Add a Mulch Layer
Once your plants are in, top the soil with mulch (like straw, shredded leaves, or bark). This helps:
Retain moisture
Suppress weeds
Regulate soil temperature
Feed the soil as it breaks down
Step 7: Water Wisely
Raised beds tend to dry out faster than in-ground gardens, especially in summer. Water deeply at the base of your plants—early in the morning is best. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or soaker hose for easy, efficient watering.
💧 Rule of thumb: 1–1.5 inches of water per week, depending on weather.
Step 8: Enjoy & Experiment!
Gardening is part science, part art. You’ll learn what works (and what doesn’t) through experience. Take notes, celebrate the wins (like your first ripe tomato!), and don’t get discouraged by a few setbacks.
Ready to Grow?
Starting a raised bed vegetable garden is one of the most satisfying ways to reconnect with nature—and your dinner plate. With a little planning, you’ll be harvesting fresh, flavorful produce in no time.
Happy planting! 🌿
Kitchen Garden: What To Plant, By Season
The Ultimate Seasonal Planting Guide: What Fruits & Vegetables to Grow Year-Round
Whether you’re working with raised beds, patio containers, or a full backyard plot, growing your own fruits and vegetables is a satisfying and healthy way to eat seasonally. But timing is everything. Planting the right crops at the right time ensures a bountiful harvest and happy, thriving plants.
Use this simple seasonal planting guide to help you decide what to grow, and when to get it in the ground.
🌱 SPRING: The Season of Fresh Starts
(March - May)
As the soil warms and days grow longer, spring is the perfect time to plant cool-season crops. These plants thrive in the gentle sun and don't mind the occasional cold snap.
Vegetables to Plant:
Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Radishes
Carrots
Peas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Onions (from sets or starts)
Potatoes
Fruits to Start:
Strawberries (plant bare roots early)
Rhubarb
Blueberries (plant young bushes)
Tip: Keep row covers handy for surprise frosts, and don’t forget to mulch early to keep weeds in check!
☀️ SUMMER: Sun-Lovers Take the Stage
(June - August)
Once the weather is reliably warm, it's time to bring on the heat-lovers. Summer is the main growing season for most fruiting vegetables and warm-weather crops.
Vegetables to Plant:
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Zucchini & Squash
Peppers (bell & hot)
Corn
Green Beans
Eggplant
Okra
Fruits to Grow:
Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe)
Blackberries
Figs
Grapes
Tip: Water deeply and consistently. Most summer crops love the sun but hate drought stress!
🍂 FALL: Cool-Weather Comeback
(September - November)
As the heat of summer fades, many spring crops can be planted again for a second harvest. Fall is also a great time to start crops that improve in flavor with a touch of frost.
Vegetables to Plant:
Arugula
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Beets
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Garlic (plant in late fall for harvest next summer)
Mustard Greens
Fruits to Plant:
Apple & Pear Trees (fall planting helps roots establish before winter)
Pomegranate
Citrus trees (in warm climates)
Tip: Consider using a cold frame or cloche to extend the season for your tender greens.
❄️ WINTER: Planning & Indoor Growing
(December - February)
Even when the garden is asleep, you can still enjoy homegrown produce by growing indoors or preparing for spring.
Vegetables to Start Indoors:
Tomatoes (for early spring transplanting)
Peppers
Herbs (like basil, parsley, and chives)
Microgreens & Sprouts (fast, easy, and nutritious)
What to Do Outdoors:
Amend soil with compost
Clean tools and seed trays
Order seeds and make your planting calendar
Tip: Winter is ideal for dreaming, designing, and setting yourself up for a productive garden year!
🌿 Wrapping It All Up
Gardening is a rhythm, not a race. Knowing what to plant and when helps you sync with the seasons and enjoy a variety of fresh produce all year. Whether you’re new to gardening or refining your routine, let each season guide your growing journey.
Happy planting! 🌻