10 Must-Do Garden Tasks for Christchurch in Autumn
As the temperatures cool and the days grow shorter, Christchurch gardeners have a golden opportunity to prepare their gardens for winter and set them up for a vibrant spring. Autumn is a season of transition — and with the right care now, your garden will thrive all year round.
Here’s your essential autumn checklist, crafted specifically for Christchurch’s climate:
1. Rake Up Fallen Leaves
Fallen leaves may look pretty, but if left to rot on your lawn or garden beds, they can smother grass and encourage fungal diseases. Use them in compost or as mulch once they’re shredded.
2. Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
Autumn is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs, especially after leaf drop when branch structure is easier to see. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Need help? A qualified arborist can make clean, healthy cuts that promote strong growth come spring.
3. Add a Layer of Mulch
Mulching in autumn helps regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and retain moisture during drier winter months. Use organic mulch like bark, straw, or compost — just keep it a few centimeters away from plant stems.
4. Compost What You Can
Autumn provides an abundance of material for compost — leaves, grass clippings, dead plants. Mix brown (carbon-rich) and green (nitrogen-rich) materials for a balanced heap, and turn it every few weeks to speed things up.
5. Prepare Your Lawn for Winter
Aerate compacted areas, overseed bare patches, and apply an autumn lawn fertiliser to strengthen roots. Raise your mower height for the final cuts of the season to protect the grass crown from frost.
6. Plant Cool-Season Veggies
Now’s a great time to plant hardy vegetables like:
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Broccoli
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Kale
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Spinach
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Garlic
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Onions
These crops love the cooler conditions and will establish before the worst of winter.
7. Divide Perennials
If your clumps of ornamental grasses, hostas, or agapanthus are overcrowded, divide and replant them now. It encourages healthier blooms and fills out your garden for free.
8. Protect Tender Plants from Frost
Late April and May can bring surprise frosts in Christchurch. Cover delicate plants with frost cloths or move potted plants to sheltered areas.
9. Clean and Store Garden Tools
Give your tools a clean, sharpen blades, and oil any moving parts before storing them for winter. This extends their life and makes spring gardening smoother.
10. Plan and Plant for Spring
Autumn is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. Pop them in now and forget about them — your future self will thank you!
Need a Hand?
If you’d rather enjoy the garden than rake, prune, or mulch it — we’re here to help. Our team of experienced garden maintenance specialists and qualified arborists service Christchurch and surrounding areas.
Contact us today to book your autumn garden tidy-up or tree care consultation!
