After your garden plants have given their all in the summer, autumn is the time to focus on the well-being of your plants. Now, there is plenty of moisture, and the temperatures are mild, so the plants can recover from the summer stress and slow down their metabolic activities in preparation for winter.

The high humidity provides the best conditions for planting new perennials, bulbs, and shrubs. This allows them to settle in before winter and really take off in the spring. So, plant snowdrops, wild garlic, daffodils, tulips, and crocuses now to enjoy their blooms in early spring.

The most convenient approach is to start by pruning your perennials and shrubs. This creates space, and you can use the shredded branches as mulch for the beds to protect them from frost and erosion. Even thin twigs can be kept and used as frost protection for delicate plants. As a rule of thumb, all perennials that are starting to wilt or become brittle are ready to be pruned.

For shrubs, remove any dry and dead branches, then prune back and shape them according to their type. If you're unsure how to do this correctly, it's a good idea to consult a professional.

Pruning perennials and shrubs helps the plants stay healthy in several ways: dead and wilted parts are removed, preventing them from rotting and molding on the plant, and the roots have fewer above-ground plant parts to sustain at the beginning of the following year, allowing more nutrients to support new growth.

Your lawn can also benefit from a final cut to about 5 cm, after which it will enter its winter dormancy. In the fall, be sure to regularly remove fallen leaves from the lawn to prevent bare or yellow spots. Next, bring all frost-sensitive plants inside, including potted plants, as well as canna lilies, dahlias, and other exotic plants.

Before the first frost, make sure to turn off the water supply and let all pipes run dry. If necessary, empty solar thermal systems and pond pumps, and ensure that your fish pond doesn't freeze completely. Once all this is done, winter can come!