The garden before the frost: what to bring in and protect

When does the frost come?

When the first night frost comes varies a lot between places and years, and SMHI shows that some places can get night frost even in summer. Follow the local forecast. Cold air collects in hollows, so a garden in a valley can get frost long before a neighbour higher up.

So start with what cannot take any frost at all and do the rest during the autumn.

Bring these in before the first night frost

• Bring in pot plants that cannot take frostBefore the first night frostPelargoniums, fuchsias, citrus and other tender pot plants overwinter frost-free. Match light and temperature to the plant; many like it light and cool. Water sparingly and check on them during the winter.
• Drain hoses and wateringBefore the first night frostDrain hoses, drip irrigation and nozzles. Water freezing in them can split both them and the outdoor tap.
• Empty pots and containers that can crackBefore the first night frostTerracotta pots and water butts can crack when the water in them freezes. Empty them or bring them in.

These manage outside with protection

• Protect tender rosesBefore winterTender roses, such as many modern shrub roses, floribundas and hybrid teas, can be earthed up around the base. Match the protection to the variety and the spot; old hardy varieties and wild roses often manage without.
• Cover tender perennialsOnce the ground has started to freezeSpruce branches or an airy fleece protect against cold and against swings between frost and thaw. Do not use plastic, which traps moisture.
• Leave most perennials standingOver the winterDead stems protect the plant and give birds and insects food and shelter. Peonies, daylilies and plants prone to fungus can be cut back in autumn.
• Plant spring bulbsBefore the ground freezesTulips, daffodils and crocuses are planted in autumn while the soil can still be dug.

The lawn and the tools

• Rake the leavesOnce the leaves have fallenA thick layer of leaves left over the winter can smother the grass and lead to snow mould. Put them in the beds or on the compost.
• Clean and store the toolsAfter the last mowingClean the lawn mower and the tools and store them dry. Keep batteries frost-free and charged as the manufacturer says.