Massive cutting back garden cleanup

September and October are the chop and change months in the yearly garden cleanup. I am currently busy with my 2023 cleanup and want to share some of the things I do to prepare for the coming Winter.

Table of Contents

Where does one begin when doing a garden cleanup?

This really has not got a specific answer as gardens and spaces are different. I have a small space garden and I grow a lot of things in pots so I can rotate them at certain times of the year. I kind of have a way to decide what I need to do first and then just start doing that. Once I start I can see things that need attention and so I make my priority list.

It is rewarding to see everything change and get the attention it needs during a garden cleanup. New plans start forming when your garden dies back as you can see lots of places that you can possibly fill with a new plant. I use a garden Planner to write all my jobs up.

I start by cutting back a lot of the large green leafy plants leaves. I never cut right down but I do cut at least 2/3rds of the way.
I separate some of my perennial clumps which have become thick. Planting the new separated plants is a great way of filling up any spaces, and they also make good Christmas gifts if you pot them up into a nice pot.
Cut back my rose bushes but not harshly. I remove the inside bush growth and any flowers, buds and rose hips.
This is a good time to move any plants which are in the wrong place. I usually cut the foliage back and give the plant a bit of feed in it’s new hole. We seem to have enough “good” weather before it gets too cold for the plants to settle a bit.
I do trim shrubs and trees but never harshly unless they are very overgrown.

What do you do with plants which are still flowering?

Depending on how long they have been flowering for is the deciding factor for these . My Asters have just starting to flower so I am just letting them flower for a bit longer. My Crocosmia has been flowering for a while now but still have flowers on. I usually chop these back as part of my garden cleanup.

What to do with all the green waste from the garden cleanup.

Use a chipper or a leaf blower that sucks the bits up and shreds them to make a mulch. Using leaves and mulches from chopped matter gives protection to plants once they have died back.
Composting bits is another option. Nothing beats a good homemade compost but it often takes up too much garden space and it can attract vermin.
The way most folks get rid of chopping is through the tip system. This method however leaves a nice tidy clean garden with no places for the bugs, hedgehogs and mice to take shelter. Frogs also like leaves and sticks so consider putting it back into your garden.
I rake up all the leaves through out the Autumn and put them around the garden beds.

General other garden clean up tasks which every gardener should do.

If you have lawn in your garden, give it a good raking with a light rake. Cut it shorter and then throw some new lawn seed over it. This will give you a nice thick patch in the spring.
Remove and clean all your plant supports. Fix or replace those that have broken.
Clean all bird tables and feeders, again replacing those that are broken. Caring for the birds during Winter.
I usually empty my water butts before Winter and give them a rinse. I then set them up again to begin collecting new water.
Ponds, troughs and bird baths need a good wash and should be filled again.
Steps and pathways can we swept or power washed. If you have lots of moss growing, pour boiling water over it and then sprinkle with salt. It will soon die and become easy to sweep up.

Cleaning your greenhouse or growing frame.

Clear the greenhouse out, brush the glass with a soft brush to remove cobwebs and other matter.
Remove any shade netting and wash it or replace it.
If you had flies and bugs in the greenhouse through the year then you need to disinfect it. Using a spray bottle with a disinfectant solution inside should be used to spray all surfaces. Leave the greenhouse to dry a bit then repeat.
Once clean and disinfected, you should be able to start planting and storing your bulbs and dahlia’s.

How long does a garden cleanup take?

This is an open question. It depends on your gardens size, the weather, what plants and features you have in it. I have a small garden and it takes me amount a month and a half to finish getting it ready for over Winter. Some folk just leave all these tasks and tackle the garden just before Spring arrives.

Interesting finds during the garden cleanup

Whilst I was cleaning up around my big willow tree and my rose bushes I discovered two wonderful fairy houses which I had put into the garden when my children were younger. I had place photo’s of the children into one which has a door that can open. Sadly the door doesn’t open anymore but surprisingly the houses are still looking as though they belong. Both these houses were made by mywoodenshed.co.uk click the link to visit this website and enjoy a how to make a fairy house blog.

Protecting your plants over the Winter time.

Plants I protect over the Winter are: ( You may have a lot of others in your garden.)

Dahlia bulbs which are planted in tubs. They have been cut back as part of the garden cleanup.
Tulip and daffodil bulbs in tubs. These have been taken out of their pots and checked. I often add some new bulbs to the mix and always replace old compost. I replant the bulbs in moist, not wet, compost for the Winter.
All new one year old perennial plants.
Small struggling rose bushes the have also undergone a trim or cut back during the garden cleanup.
All iris plants that are in tubs. The long leaves would have been cut back.

What I use to cover my plants.

Dahlia bulbs in pots.

I use bubble wrap to cover them. I collect bubble wrap through out the year from deliveries and packaging and use the larger pieces. I cover the top of the tubs and use the gardeners thin wire to secure the wrap in place below the rim of the tub. I leave the tubs outside in the place where they have been growing. They should stay dry but other weather factors like snow may make them cold. These tubers seem to only rot in the wet not the cold.

Tulip and Daffodil bulbs in tubs.

I use bubble wrap if I have it or I buy cling film and wrap the pots. I leave them wrapped until the middle of January, or when I see them poking out of the soil.

All new perennial plants planted in the ground.

These get covered with plastic buckets I have kept from buying bird fat balls. I make holes around the side at the top of the bucket. This protects but allows then to get air and water from around them. No snow or frost will touch them. As the tubs are clear plastic, light will get through.

Small struggling rose bushes and any other plants in the ground .

I use plastic sheeting which I buy online, along with some canes. I place the canes around the plant and then wrap the plastic around the canes. I use a stapler to secure the plastic and close it at the top and sides. Being clear plastic it still let’s light through. I re use these each year.

Iris plants in large tubs.

I use plastic and canes as per the above but I secure it around the bottom so no snow can get in.

Places for hedgehogs, frogs and insects.

Checking your garden during the Winter .

I check my plants when even the weather has turned or once a week.
As the weather can change quickly during the Winter and even through to early Spring, keep checking your tubs and covered plants.
Wind can take the wraps off if it is strong enough, it also strips the staples and opens the top of the plastic wrapping.
Snow can fall and the weight of it can crush plants under the soft plastic wrap, just sweep it off. The small plants under the hard clear buckets will be fine but wind can blow the buckets off.

When to remove the covers.

This depends on the plants you have covered. All Tulip and Daffodil bulbs need the cold to start growing. I watch until I see them sprout and then I uncover them but put a leaf mulch over them for further protection from direct frost.

I leave everything else until the beginning of Spring. Depending on the weather I often just leave thing covered for the night but remove the cover for the days.

You will find a way that suits you best, look around the yard an see what you can use to offer some protection to plants that may need it. Given the cost of plants these days looking after them is a good option.

Summary of the garden cleanup

It is nice to look at the garden once the growth is gone, it gives a new perspective. Please look at my review of this Garden Planner as it really helps me to keep track of all the jobs and things I need to do. I am also recording weekly weather and have been astounded at how much rain we have had. I have a simple rain gauge and empty it every Sunday. I did record the rainfall last year in my previous planner and not that we did not have much rain just high winds. As a gardener I find this a good thing to track. Happy Gardening Folks.