Overview
- Guidance published Friday consolidates seasonal advice that you usually do not need to fully dig beds and should instead lightly loosen soil with a fork if the ground is well structured.
- Apply mature compost in a thin layer and cover beds with 5–10 cm of autumn leaves so earthworms and microbes work the material into humus over winter.
- Sow cover crops such as winter rye now or leave existing green manure in place until spring to stop nutrient loss from bare soil.
- Continue mowing until growth stops, trim to the recommended final height (about 3.5–5 cm depending on guidance), and switch to a low‑nitrogen, potassium‑rich autumn fertilizer to strengthen grass.
- Turn off and drain water systems and containers, move frost‑sensitive pots indoors, clean and store tools, and keep some leaf piles as habitat for insects and hedgehogs while avoiding late heavy pruning or high‑nitrogen feeding.