Helpful Tools That Will Make Autumn Gardening That Much Easier
A Good Compost Bin
First of all, think of all the organic matter and debris that’s going to come as a result of autumn. From fallen leaves to plant trimmings and more, all of that bio-matter can go to good use, and this is where a high-quality compost bin can come into play. Rather than burning or throwing away garden waste, composting it allows it to become a sustainable source of fertilizer for the months ahead. You won’t be able to use this compost immediately, but once the mixture breaks down naturally, it will likely be in good time to enrich your soil come the spring. Make sure that whatever compost bin you use is sturdy and well-ventilated, as air circulation speeds up the decomposition process.
Fresh Compost Is Good, Too
As mentioned, you might not be able to use the compost from your bin while still in autumn, but if you have ready-made compost or are able to buy some, that can be of great benefit to your garden, as well. Mature compost can be used to rejuvenate flower beds, vegetable patches, are other bits of soil that might have become somewhat depleted of their nutrients over the past growing cycle. Not only does compost prepare for a better growing season, but it also improves soil structure, boosts drainage, and improves water retention, which can be vital during the unpredictable autumn weather, especially if you’re trying to avoid any flooding. Spread a generous layer over bare soil and lightly fork it in to protect roots and suppress winter weeds.
Clean Up Easy With A Leaf Blower
Autumn is the time of change, when the leaves dramatically shift in colour and begin to fall en masse from surrounding trees. If there are plenty of trees around your garden, then you can expect plenty of leaves to clean up, as well. A good leaf blower can stop your lawn, driveway, patios, and pavement from becoming overwhelmed. It’s especially important to clean up the lawn, as otherwise, sunlight can be blocked from reaching the grass, which can lead to moisture problems and fungus outbreaks. A leaf blower helps save you from the effort of spending hours raking up all those leaves by hand, making it much easier to blow them all into a pile that you can fit and put straight into the compost bin.
Let Your Lawn Breathe With A Scarifier
The wet and cold of autumn tends to make moisture lie a lot more in lawns, which, in turn, can lead to a host of problems and diseases. For instance, over time, moss and thatch can build up, trapping moisture, increasing the spread of fungus, and generally leading to poor grass growth. With the help of a scarifier, you can make sure that you’re lifting up these organic obstacles that tend to lie too low for lawn mowers to catch. As a result, air, water, and nutrients are able to reach much deeper into the soil before it gets dormant for the winter.
Give It A Poke With A Garden Fork
The higher levels of traffic that lawns tend to see in the summer tend to compact them, as does all that heavy rainfall in autumn, which means it might be time to break it up. With the help of a garden fork, you can aerate your soil, poking holes into it that allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the plant roots much more effectively. This also improves the drainage of the soil, reducing the chances of waterlogging in winter. Garden forks can also play a variety of other roles, such as loosening soil for planting, mixing in compost, and lifting out root vegetables, as well as dealing with any particularly stubborn weeds. Choose one that’s made of strong stainless steel for durability and ergonomic handles for comfort.
Loppers For Essential Tree Care
Autumn is the best time of year to prune any trees and shrubs growing in your garden. You want to hit them before they become dormant. Loppers, in particular, are good for tackling those thicker branches that a pair of pruning shears might not be enough for. You can remove deadwood and improve the air circulation of the tree, while making sure that there are no overhanging branches that can become a potential danger once the winds start to get stronger.