Homeowners are being urged to tackle five simple garden jobs before the end of August, according to outdoor living experts at Vonhaus. The advice comes as summer winds down and September approaches, with experts warning that focusing only on mowing the lawn or cutting back plants could mean overlooking smaller tasks that become much harder once autumn rain and falling leaves arrive.
Why late summer is the time to act
Laura Bradbury, head of e-commerce at Vonhaus, said the final weeks of August provide a useful opportunity to identify compacted lawns, clear hidden debris and check how rainwater moves around the garden before conditions change. She explained: "Late summer is a useful time to take stock of the garden before wetter and windier conditions arrive. The aim should not be to make every part of the garden spotless. Instead, homeowners should focus on the areas where compacted soil, trapped debris and standing water are most likely to cause problems once autumn begins."
Test lawns using a screwdriver
Lawns often experience more footfall during summer, particularly around garden furniture, paddling pools, barbecues and areas used for games or gatherings. The repeated pressure can compact the soil beneath the grass, making it more difficult for air and water to reach the roots. When heavier autumn rain arrives, compacted areas may also drain more slowly and leave water sitting on the lawn.
According to experts at Vonhaus, one unusual yet simple way of identifying possible problem areas is to gently push a long screwdriver into different sections of the ground. Bradbury explained: "The screwdriver test gives homeowners a quick way to compare different parts of the lawn before committing to a larger job. If the soil feels much harder beneath areas that have supported furniture, paddling pools or heavy footfall, those sections may benefit from aerating once the ground is cooler and suitably moist."
Identify where leaves will collect and prepare a leaf-mould area
Homeowners can use late summer to identify the areas where garden debris naturally gathers. Usual collection points include behind sheds, beneath benches, around wheelie bins, between plant pots and along fences. Grass clippings, dry leaves and small twigs already sitting in these areas can become wet and compacted once autumn rainfall and heavier leaf fall begin, making them more difficult to remove. A dry day is therefore a good opportunity to move manageable pots and furniture, before using a brush, rake or leaf blower to bring lightweight debris into a manageable pile.
Gathering fallen leaves is only useful if homeowners have decided what to do with them afterwards. According to Ms Bradbury, preparing a leaf-mould area in August means suitable leaves have somewhere to go as soon as they begin to fall. Once broken down, leaf mould can be used as a mulch or soil conditioner, turning part of the autumn garden clean-up into something useful. Leaves are usually easiest to gather when they are dry. A leaf blower can be used to move them into piles before they are transferred to the prepared area. However, diseased leaves and infected plant material should be kept separate rather than added to an ordinary leaf-mould pile or home compost bin.
Check how rainwater moves and clear beneath pots
Most gardeners know to clear visible drains, but fewer people consider the route water takes before reaching them. Loose soil, plant growth, leaves and grass clippings can collect across patios, paths, gravelled areas and drainage channels. Once autumn rain arrives, this material may divert water away from its intended route or towards doors, sheds and seating areas.
Homeowners can check the garden during ordinary rainfall or pour a small amount of water onto a suitable paved area to see which direction it travels and whether it begins to pool. Visible debris should be removed from channels and gathered away from drainage openings. Leaves and soil should never be blown into a drain, gutter or water-butt inlet. The same check can be done around sheds, greenhouses and outdoor storage areas, where blocked channels or trapped debris may go unnoticed until wetter weather arrives.
Plant pots, benches, tables and garden storage can remain in the same position throughout summer, allowing soil, petals, grass cuttings and leaves to build up underneath them. Once rainfall increases, however, this material can remain damp for longer, leaving marks on patios or decking and creating a compacted layer that becomes harder to remove. Where items can be moved safely, homeowners should temporarily reposition them and clear the area underneath using a stiff brush or leaf blower, Ms Bradbury said. It is also recommended to check containers in order to make sure drainage holes are clear. Where suitable, placing pots on feet can improve airflow and allow water to drain more freely.
Outdoor furniture should be cleaned and allowed to dry fully before being covered or put into storage, as covering dirty or damp furniture can trap moisture and lead to musty smells.
