Autumn Gardening · 1 min read
Get Your Garden Ready for Autumn
RHS-backed September and October jobs for getting a UK garden ready for autumn, plus real storage options for furniture, cushions and tools.
Getting your garden ready for autumn in the UK is really two months of smaller jobs rather than one big weekend: September is about cleaning, netting and planting ahead, while October is about moving tender plants under cover and getting the last cut of the lawn in before the weather turns. Below is what the RHS actually recommends for each month, plus where to put the furniture and tools that shouldn't spend winter outside.
Key takeaways
- RHS September priorities: clean out greenhouses and cold frames, net ponds before leaf fall, protect vegetables with bird-proof netting, and plant spring-flowering bulbs.
- By October, the RHS recommends moving tender plants into a greenhouse or conservatory and getting your last lawn mow and hedge trim done while conditions allow.
- None of this is a one-weekend job — spreading it across September and October, in the order the RHS actually lists it, is more realistic than trying to do it all at once.
- Furniture, cushions and tools that are staying outdoors need somewhere weatherproof and lockable — real options on our site run from £96.51 to £224.34.
- Watering doesn't stop in autumn: the RHS advises continuing to water newly planted specimens and only gradually reducing houseplant watering as the season changes.
The September jobs that matter most
According to the RHS's month-by-month gardening jobs for September, the priority is getting ahead of the season rather than reacting to it. Their list includes cleaning out cold frames and greenhouses "so that they are ready for use in the autumn," netting ponds "before leaf fall gets underway" to stop them filling with debris, and covering leafy vegetable crops with bird-proof netting. September is also the month to divide herbaceous perennials, collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals, and plant spring-flowering bulbs — all jobs that pay off months later rather than immediately.
Moving into October: protecting tender plants and the last cut
The RHS's October jobs list shifts the focus from tidying to protection. Their standout recommendation is to "move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory" before the first proper cold snap catches them outside. October is also described as the last realistic window in milder parts of the UK to mow lawns and trim hedges, along with cutting back perennials that have died down and pruning climbing roses. If you're planning to lay new turf or refresh an existing lawn, this is also a sensible month to do it, while the soil is still workable.
Where to put the furniture
Cushions, cooking equipment and smaller tools left outside over a UK winter are the things most likely to actually get damaged, rather than the furniture frames themselves. A weatherproof, lockable storage box solves most of this without needing to clear out a shed. Prices below are live prices on our own site at the time of writing — always check the product page for the current price, since these can change.
| Storage option | Capacity | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 322L weatherproof storage box with padlock loop | 322 litres, 400kg load-bearing lid | Cushions and tools, with the option to lock it and use the lid as a seat | £96.51 |
| 366L storage box with wheels and handles | 366 litres, 100kg capacity | Moving a full box across the patio without lifting it | £179.51 |
| Wooden garden tool shed with 3 shelves | 3 detachable shelves plus lower storage | Tools and equipment that need a permanent, ventilated spot year-round | £224.34 |
In short: to get a UK garden ready for autumn, follow the RHS's September list first — greenhouse cleaning, pond netting, bird-proof netting and bulb planting — then move to October's priorities of protecting tender plants and getting the last mow done. For furniture, cushions and tools staying outside, a weatherproof storage box from £96.51 or a small tool shed from £224.34 covers most gardens.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important autumn garden job in the UK?
According to the RHS, September's priorities are cleaning out greenhouses and cold frames, netting ponds before leaf fall, and protecting vegetable crops with bird-proof netting — all jobs that get easier the earlier they're done.
When should I move tender plants under cover for winter?
The RHS recommends doing this in October, moving tender plants — including aquatic ones — into a greenhouse or conservatory before the weather turns properly cold.
Do I need to store garden furniture cushions somewhere specific?
Yes — cushions and soft furnishings are usually the first things to be damaged by autumn and winter weather. A weatherproof, lockable storage box is a straightforward way to protect them without clearing space in a shed.
When is the last chance to mow the lawn before winter?
The RHS describes October as the last realistic window to mow lawns and trim hedges in milder parts of the UK, so it's worth getting done rather than leaving it for November.
Should I stop watering the garden in autumn?
Not entirely. The RHS advises continuing to water newly planted specimens through September, using rainwater or grey water where possible, and only gradually reducing how often you water houseplants as the season changes.
Is a storage box or a shed better for garden tools?
It depends on how much you're storing and how permanent you want the solution to be. A storage box suits cushions and smaller tools and needs no assembly space commitment; a small shed, like our 3-shelf wooden option, suits a garden with enough tools to need dedicated, ventilated storage year-round.
Working through the list
Tackle September's jobs first — greenhouse cleaning, netting and bulb planting — then move on to October's priorities of protecting tender plants and getting the last cut of the lawn done. For everything that needs to come off the patio for winter, you can browse the full range, including all three storage options above, in our garden storage collection.
Written and checked by the Hackerprice® editorial team. Product details and prices are checked against our live catalogue at the time of publication and reviewed quarterly; seasonal gardening guidance is drawn from the RHS's own month-by-month jobs lists. Last updated: 15 September 2026.
Writes the buying guides at HACKERPRICE. No sponsored picks, no affiliate links.
