It’s time to protect, nourish, and prepare your garden for the season ahead! Here’s a job to complete this Autumn on one weekend. It’ll get you outside, moving and most importantly, it’ll make you and your garden feel really good.

Why Autumn is the perfect time to mulch

As the leaves begin to fall and temperatures start to dip, autumn provides the ideal window to give your garden a little extra care. The soil is still warm from summer, and increased rainfall helps lock in moisture beneath a layer of protective mulch.

Mulching in autumn helps regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and enrich the ground with organic matter, giving your plants nutrients and the best possible start for spring. It’s a simple yet powerful task that keeps your borders healthy, nourished, and looking beautifully finished through winter.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to mulch your garden

Step 1: Clear and prepare

Start by removing any weeds, debris, or dead plant material from the soil surface. Lightly fork or rake the soil to loosen it and improve aeration.

Step 2: Add moisture (if needed)

If the soil is dry, give it a good watering before applying mulch. This helps lock in moisture where your plants need it most.

Step 3: Apply the mulch

Spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 inch) layer of your chosen mulch around your plants and over bare soil. Make sure to leave a small gap around stems and crowns to prevent rot.

Step 4: Finish and maintain

Rake the mulch evenly for a tidy finish. Check throughout winter to make sure it stays in place and top up if needed.

Lets talk about… Mulching options and their benefits

Leaf mulch

Perfect for autumn! Collect fallen leaves, shred or pile them, and let them break down naturally. Leaf mulch is light, free-draining, and excellent for improving soil structure. If you collect this autumn, you can store them in a bin liner with holes and they’ll be ready for a mulch come spring. They can be used fresh but ideally it’s better to have them a little decomposed!

Compost

Rich in nutrients, compost feeds the soil and supports beneficial microbes. It’s ideal for vegetable patches, flower borders, and around young perennials.

Wood chip or bark

Long-lasting and great for paths, borders, and around shrubs or trees. It suppresses weeds and retains moisture but breaks down slowly, adding texture to your garden beds.

Well-rotted manure

A powerhouse for improving fertility! Apply to nutrient hungry areas like vegetable beds or established perennials. Only use manure that’s been composted for at least six months.

The Benefits of mulching at a glance

 - Retains soil moisture

- Suppresses weeds naturally

- Protects roots from frost

- Adds organic matter and improves soil health

- Gives borders a neat, professional look

Mulching now means less work later — healthier soil, happier plants, and a head start when spring returns. So grab a wheelbarrow, choose your mulch, and give your garden and plants some care!

Shop our compost for mulching here