An expert has shared the key jobs you need to do in your garden in the coming months to make sure it flourishes in 2026 – and you’ll thank yourself for the hard work next year
Gardeners have been advised to tackle three ‘crucial’ tasks before the year ends to guarantee their outdoor spaces flourish in 2026. An expert responded to the Reddit discussion, ‘What three things do I need to do in October, November and December?’, by outlining the vital jobs that need completing.
The horticulturist encouraged people to focus on getting bulbs in the ground before October concludes, explaining: “Tulips especially need a longer cold period or else they come up stunted in the spring.” Building on this advice, they highlighted November as a critical month for completing your final weed clearance to simplify spring maintenance.
They continued: “November do your final weeding so you have fresh and tidy garden when your bulbs begin to put on their show.
“Also in November you should be planting your over-winter crops like garlic.
“Take note of pots what will crack and what tender perennials that will die in the frost, find a protected place for those.
“Leave the dead branches and things so bugs and small animals have over winter shelter.”
Ultimately, they explained that completing all this preparatory work means you can relax during a hassle-free December, as there’s “nothing left to do but look forward to spring.”
Regarding lawn maintenance, official guidance from gardening specialists at Hayter suggests that UK households should cease grass cutting in either late October or early November.
According to this timeframe, the optimal moment for your garden’s final cut would be during Halloween week. The experts advised: “Referencing the start of mowing season in spring, mowing should stop when temperatures are consistently at six degrees or lower.
“If we are having a warmer late autumn and early winter than expected, you may find mowing can continue into early to mid-November.”
However, they did caution: “If it’s too cold to mow, it’s important to still perform regular garden maintenance tasks to keep your lawn healthy for next spring.
“Late autumn and early winter are the ideal times for maintenance – you should carry out a regular clean-up of garden borders and leaves as and when needed.”