Gardening advice: Autumn care for hydrangeas, lawns, and soil

As autumn approaches, gardening experts provide guidance on seasonal maintenance for lawns, hydrangeas, and garden beds.

For hydrangeas, proper care in September is essential to ensure blooming in the next season. Key recommendations include avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizers, regular watering, and protecting buds from frost using mulch or frost cloth. Pruning should be done carefully; for garden hydrangeas, only dead blooms should be removed to protect future flower buds.

Lawn maintenance in September and October involves repairing bare patches, aerating the soil, and applying autumn fertilizers. Experts suggest that timing should depend on weather conditions to ensure a resilient lawn for spring.

Regarding garden beds, experts advise against over-cleaning. Leaving some dried stems and seed heads can provide vital shelter and food for insects and birds during winter. For soil improvement, using natural minerals like bentonite can help retain moisture and prevent the ground from hardening too severely during winter freezes.