5 top tips for autumn planting

Helen Derrin

Written by: Helen Derrin


Last updated: October 2024

Did you know great summer gardens are planted in autumn? The soil’s still retaining summer’s warmth, while also benefiting from the added moisture that the seasonal rains bring. Even as the air temperature drops, plant roots will still be growing strongly, so if planted now, they could potentially double in size by spring. Therefore, if you want happier, healthier and more resilient plants next spring and summer, get them in the ground now.

Here are our 5 golden rules for autumn planting.

Get to know your soil and prep it well
Get to know your soil and prep it well

1. Get to know your soil and prep it well

Good soil preparation is the key to successful planting, so it’s worth putting in the extra effort before you start. Whatever soil type you have, digging in lots of composted organic matter will add nutrients and help improve its structure.

2. Water your plants well before planting

Make sure they’re thoroughly watered by either spraying them with the hose (aiming at the rootball rather than the top growth), or soaking them in a deep tray or bucket for 15 minutes or so before you start to plant.

3. Plant them at the right depth

It’s really important to maintain the soil level when transferring plants from pot to earth, so dig a hole a little wider, but no deeper than the rootball of the plant. Pop the plant into the hole and lay a bamboo cane across the top to check it looks right.

4. Prepare the roots for action

If the plants already have a well established rootball, tease them out to encourage them to grow into the surrounding soil. Also, apply some mycorrhizal fungi directly onto the young roots to enable them to take up more water and nutrients.

5. Water well (again) then tuck in with some mulch

Once your plants have been firmed into the ground, water them (and their surrounding soil) well. Then, apply a generous mulch of organic matter around the top of the rootball, taking care not to bank it up around their crowns.

Border boosters - perfect for planting now

As summer slips into autumn shrubs with strong, structural silhouettes (whether from flowerheads, foliage, stems or contours), will add impact, interest and cohesion to the planting scheme - transforming it from wishy-washy to wow in a flash. Here’s a few of our favourites.

Spring flowering bulbs

Autumn planting

Spring flowering bulbs

Make sure you've got something to look forward to and get cracking with bulb planting for next spring's display.

Shop now

Winter-hardy bedding

Autumn planting

Winter-hardy bedding

Perfect planting partners for spring bulbs, fill pots and containers for luminous colour on a drab winter's day.

Shop now

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