Autumn gardening work: Tips and useful information from Einhell’s garden experts
When the leaves start falling and the nights get longer and colder in autumn, a busy time begins for many garden enthusiasts: Gardens and garden equipment need to be made ready for winter. Patrick Pflegler, Garden Category Manager at Einhell Germany AG, the leading supplier of cordless garden equipment and tools, knows all about the most important tasks and offers advice on how to get your garden ready for the cold season.
Autumn cleaning to winterproof the garden
“Autumn cleaning in the garden is just as important as spring cleaning,” states Patrick Pflegler, Garden Category Manager at Einhell Germany AG. “If you love your garden, you are well advised to get things into shape before winter sets in.” Garden lovers who want their garden to come to life in full bloom after hibernation and also protect nature and animals should bear in mind the following to-do list:
Lawn care
First of all, it is important to take a look at the lawn. “Fallen leaves are not good for the lawn, because they keep light and air for breathing from reaching the grass,” says Einhell garden expert Patrick Pflegler. “With a cordless leaf blower, fallen leaves can quickly and easily be gathered and then piled into a quiet corner. This also provides hedgehogs and other small animals with a sturdy shelter during the winter. Then mow the lawn one last time. The grass should be cut to about five centimeters high, to protect the roots from frost,” advises the Einhell garden expert. Scarifying also helps to remove moss and thatch while at the same time encouraging grass root growth. Furthermore, now is the right time to fertilize the lawn one last time this year. An autumn fertilizer rich in potassium strengthens the roots of the grass and makes the lawn hardier in winter. If the soil is acidic (pH value of less than 6), lime can be spread on the lawn to raise the pH level. Bald or thin patches can also be reseeded with an appropriate lawn mixture. A cordless lawn edge trimmer can be used to trim the edges of the lawn clean in next to no time, not only to maintain a well-kept appearance but also to prevent weeds from creeping in.
Hedge trimming and plant protection
Hedges and perennials should afford structure and beauty to your garden over the winter too and can now be carefully cut back. Patrick Pflegler points out, however, that “according to nature conservation rules, hedges and shrubs cannot be cleared out or radically pruned until after October 1st. “To keep from damaging the plants, do not prune them at temperatures of under five degrees below zero Celsius because the cuts do not heal properly in frosty conditions,” explains Pflegler. “Einhell has a suitable cordless hedge trimmer to match every purpose. For high hedges, the ideal choice is a cordless telescopic hedge trimmer, for example, while for thick branches your best bet is a cordless tree pruning saw,” adds Pflegler. The Einhell garden expert has another piece of advice up his sleeve for those who are not yet ready to put their spades and rakes away: “Autumn is the best time to plant native shrubs and trees, and to sow wild flower seeds. Bulbs of spring flowers like tulips, narcissus and crocus can also be buried now, so that they decorate the garden with fresh color in the spring.” There is enough rainfall in autumn to keep the seeds moist and some species of cold germinators even need low temperatures to germinate. Flower beds should be covered with a layer of mulch or brushwood from pruned hedges in order to protect the ground from frost and to prevent weed growth. Applying a potassium-rich autumn fertilizer before this helps plants stock up on the nutrients they need for the winter.
Pond care and frost protection
The tips for lawns also apply to garden ponds: Fallen leaves and sediment must be removed from ponds promptly before winter sets in and pond plants need to be cut back. Special care should be taken to protect garden irrigation systems. Pipes and hoses need to be thoroughly drained to prevent frost damage. “Drip irrigation systems should be taken apart and the individual components put away in a dry, frost-free place,” says Pflegler, adding: “It is also important to shut off the main tap that provides water to the irrigation system before the first frost in order to ensure that no more water gets into the pipes.” In addition, when pumps and filter systems are also used, they also need to be emptied and thoroughly cleaned. Batteries in digital irrigation devices and timers are often overlooked. It is best to remove them to prevent corrosion during the winter months.
Tool and battery care
When it comes to garden tools, it is important not only to spend money to purchase them, but also to take the time to maintain them, especially before winter. Therefore, dirt, soil and plant debris must be removed from hand tools and also battery-powered devices. “A wire brush, cloth and water hose are ideal for this task,” says the Einhell garden expert. “Cutting tools like shears and knives must be cleaned and dried especially well to prevent rust. Furthermore, the blades of shears, knives and hoes can be sharpened with a grinding stone or file, which also makes it easier to get started with the garden work next spring.” Batteries require special attention to preserve their service life: They must be stored in a dry, frost-free place at a storage temperature of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. An ideal place to store batteries is usually the basement. Pflegler notes, “Even though modern Einhell batteries do not require any special maintenance, it is still important to store them in a dry place, protected from frost and not fully discharged. Therefore, you should check the current charge level before storing them. Ideally, it will be between 30 and 60 percent. Furthermore, batteries should not be left in the charger, but rather stored separately,” adds the Einhell garden expert.
Final details
Once you have taken care of a few more minor details, you can leave your garden to its winter rest. Garden furniture must be cleaned and put away for the winter, either inside the house or a shed, or properly covered with waterproof tarpaulins. “Check the roofs and walls of garden houses and sheds once again for damage and repair them if needed so that they are not harmed by rain, snow or storms,” recommends Einhell expert Patrick Pflegler. Frost-sensitive tub plants must be brought indoors or into a frost-free greenhouse and sensitive shrubs and plants should be protected with fleece. Last but not least, it is also fun to set out bird feeders to help non-migrating birds get through the cold months.
About Einhell Germany AG
Einhell is a leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art tools and devices for the house and garden and will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024. From its headquarters in Landau/Isar (Bavaria), the internationally successful company has continuously expanded its innovative rechargeable battery platform Power X-Change and is now the market leader in the area of cordless tools and garden devices. For many years Einhell has set new standards in terms of endurance, performance, and safety. Einhell customers appreciate the freedom of cordless operation for all their DIY projects, as well as the excellent value for money that Einhell products represent and the first-class customer service offered by the company.