How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter: Essential Autumn Garden Tips
As the nights draw in and temperatures start to dip, your garden needs a little extra care to stay healthy and ready for spring. With the right winter garden preparation, you’ll protect your plants, tools and outdoor spaces from the harsh weather — and make next year’s gardening a whole lot easier.
Here are our top autumn garden tips to help you prepare for the colder months:
1. Tidy Up Your Borders & Beds
Start by cutting back faded perennials and removing dead plants. This not only keeps your garden looking neat but also prevents pests and diseases from overwintering. Add a layer of mulch to insulate roots and retain moisture during the winter.
Hozelock Garden Composter 4001 2-1 Easy-Mix Tumbling Composter 100LRRP £199.99 £119.992. Protect Tender Plants from Frost
Tender plants such as dahlias, fuchsias and pelargoniums won’t survive icy conditions. To prepare your garden for winter, either bring them indoors, move them into a greenhouse, or cover them with horticultural fleece for extra protection.
Smart Garden Pro-Tunnel Grozone MaxRRP £179.99 £129.99 £99.99![Haxnicks Compact Grower Frame & Poly Weather Protection Cover]( "Haxnicks Compact Grower Frame & Poly Weather Protection Cover")
Haxnicks Compact Grower Frame & Poly Weather Protection CoverRRP £69.99 £59.99![Haxnicks Giant Easy Fleece Tunnel]( "Haxnicks Giant Easy Fleece Tunnel")
Haxnicks Giant Easy Fleece TunnelRRP £29.99 £24.99![Tildenet Eco Green Fleece Blanket]( "Tildenet Eco Green Fleece Blanket")
Tildenet Eco Green Fleece BlanketRRP £23.99 £12.993. Care for Your Lawn Before Winter Sets In
Give your lawn a final mow before the first frosts, then aerate the soil to prevent waterlogging. Scatter an autumn lawn feed to strengthen roots and encourage growth ready for spring. This simple step makes lawn care in winter much easier.
![Greenkey 30cm Rolling Lawn Aerator]( "Greenkey 30cm Rolling Lawn Aerator")
Greenkey 30cm Rolling Lawn AeratorRRP £49.99 £44.99![Smart Garden Easy Leaf Grabbers]( "Smart Garden Easy Leaf Grabbers")
Smart Garden Easy Leaf GrabbersRRP £24.99 £19.99Webb WEH12R 30cm Hand Push Cylinder Lawnmower with RollerRRP £119.99 £104.994. Clean & Store Your Garden Tools
Good winter garden preparation isn’t just about plants. Before winter really sets in, give your tools a thorough clean and store them in a dry, sheltered space. Oiling blades and hinges will keep them rust-free and ready to go when gardening season returns.
A1 Security Apex Single Door Shed from £1399A1 Tool Store Single Door Shed from £609A1 Tool Safe Single Door Shed from £5995. Protect Your Garden Furniture
Wooden and metal furniture can suffer in cold, wet weather. Clean everything down and, if possible, store it in a shed or garage. If space is limited, use waterproof protective covers to shield your furniture from frost and rain.
![Zest Garden Cover for Emily Bench]( "Zest Garden Cover for Emily Bench")
Zest Garden Cover for Emily Bench from £59.99Lifestyle Garden Lounger Cover £40 £14.99Lifestyle Garden Bistro Set Cover £49 £19.996. Support Local Wildlife in Winter
Your garden is also home to plenty of wildlife that needs extra support in colder months. Consider putting out bird feeders, hedgehog houses or bug hotels to give them shelter and food. Supporting wildlife is a wonderful way to keep your garden lively through the winter.
Tom Chambers Cotswold Bird Feeding StationRRP £89.99 £79.99![Henry Bell Insect House]( "Henry Bell Insect House")
Henry Bell Insect House £9.99Final Thoughts
Taking time for winter garden preparation ensures your outdoor space is protected and ready to thrive when spring arrives. Whether it’s tidying borders, protecting plants from frost, or storing tools and furniture, a little effort now saves time later.
At Downtown Stores, you’ll find everything you need for a smooth transition into the colder months — from garden tools and protective covers to wildlife care essentials. Shop online or visit us in-store to get your garden winter-ready.
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Posted by Ellie Allen
29th September 2025
