Top 5 Mistakes Gardeners Make in Autumn (and How to Fix Them)

Autumn is a magical time in the garden — crisp mornings, rich colours, and the last of the summer harvests. However, it’s also a season when many gardeners unknowingly make mistakes that can affect their soil, plants, and even their success next year. Here are the top 5 autumn gardening mistakes — and how you can easily avoid them.

❌ Mistake 1: Ignoring the Soil

The problem: Many gardeners focus on plants and forget that autumn is prime time to feed the soil. Leaving it depleted means poor growth next season.

Your Fix:  Add compost, organic matter, or soil amendments now. This is also the perfect moment to boost microbial life with RootMax, which strengthens root systems and helps plants access nutrients even as temperatures drop. Healthy soil now means stronger crops in spring.

Also read: Soil 101 Different kinds of soil and how to grow in them

❌ Mistake 2: Leaving Fallen Leaves Untouched

The problem: Piles of leaves can harbour pests and diseases if left on lawns and garden beds.

Your Fix: Use fallen leaves to your advantage! Shred and compost them, or spread them as mulch around perennials and trees. To take it further, add Tricho Protect to your soil — it introduces beneficial fungi that suppress harmful pathogens often hiding in leaf litter. It’s a natural shield for your garden going into winter.

Also read: 9 steps for thriving Fall Garden

❌ Mistake 3: Planting Too Late (or Not at All)

The problem: Many think autumn marks the end of planting — but it’s actually a great time for greens, root crops, garlic, and spring bulbs.

Your Fix: Get those seeds and bulbs in the ground before frost. Spinach, radishes, and kale thrive in cool weather, while bulbs like tulips and daffodils set the stage for spring blooms. To give your young plants a head start, try GrowthMax — it’s mess-free, odour-free, and boosts resilience so seedlings establish quickly in cooler soil.

❌ Mistake 4: Forgetting to Prune and Divide

The problem: Many gardeners assume pruning and dividing perennials should wait until spring. But skipping autumn pruning can leave plants vulnerable to pests, diseases, and overcrowding.

Your Fix: Cut back spent perennials, remove diseased stems, and divide crowded plants like irises, hostas, and daylilies in autumn. This reduces disease pressure, encourages healthier regrowth, and keeps your garden tidy going into winter. A dose of Tricho Protect after pruning helps guard against soil-borne pathogens entering through fresh cuts or wounds.

❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting to Protect Tender Plants

The problem: A sudden frost can wipe out herbs, potted plants, and tender perennials overnight.

Your Fix:  Bring pots indoors, cover vulnerable plants with frost cloth, and mulch the base of shrubs to protect roots from temperature swings. For container plants and houseplants, a light dose of GrowthMax  helps them bounce back from stress and stay green all season.

Autumn isn’t just an ending — it’s a new beginning for your garden. By avoiding these common mistakes — and giving your soil and plants some extra support with RootMax, GrowthMax, and Tricho Protect — you’ll set yourself up for healthier soil, stronger plants, and a beautiful head start when spring returns.

Discover our autumn-ready solutions here →Click

👉 What’s your top autumn gardening ritual? Share it in the comments — let’s learn from each other this season! Cheers!

PS: Do not forget to hydrate 😂