Remove autumn leaves
Remove any leaf-fall debris and twigs as the first step to prepare your lawn in autumn. This prevents the cold-season mould and fungus that can develop in damp conditions – if the lawn is left covered up in autumn, oxygen cannot circulate, which makes it vulnerable to pests and disease.
Lawn care tip: You can use your lawn mower to help you if you don’t want to rake the leaves by hand – fit it with a collection box first, then set it to a high cutting setting and run the mower over the fallen leaves. It’s easiest to collect them when they are not too thick on the ground and they are dry. You should clear leaves from your garden by mid-November at the latest – and ideally when the sun is shining.
Tip: There’s no need to remove fallen leaves around shrubs or on flowerbeds. These actually protect against frost, as well as offering a habitat for small garden creatures.