Ep 124: Preparing Gardens for Winter – Essential Autumn Tasks Artwork

The Messed Up Gardener

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.

All Episodes

The Messed Up Gardener

Ep 124: Preparing Gardens for Winter – Essential Autumn Tasks

April 27, 2025 • Esther Aitken

In this cozy and practical episode, Esther Williams dives into the essential autumn gardening tasks that will set your garden up for a thriving spring. As April winds down and cooler weather creeps in, it’s the perfect time to give your garden some love before winter hits.

Esther walks you through three key winter prep priorities every gardener should be focusing on:
🌿 Mulching – Learn how to apply the perfect winter blanket to your soil, suppress weeds, retain moisture, and prevent root damage from frost.
✂️ Pruning – Discover what to cut back, what to leave alone, and how to prune safely to avoid damaging your plants (plus a story about a buxus pruning fail you don’t want to miss!).
🌱 Soil Preparation – From composting and cover crops to soil testing and no-dig methods, Esther shares everything you need to know to build better soil over the dormant season.

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just starting your garden journey, this episode is packed with hands-on advice, pro tips, and real-life stories to keep you motivated through the autumn chill.

Grab your gloves and your favourite hot drink—this is the episode that will help you tuck your garden in for its long winter nap and give you a head start for spring success!

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 105: No Dig, No Stress – The Ultimate Hack for Effortless Gardening Success

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/16196815-ep-105-no-dig-no-stress-the-ultimate-hack-for-effortless-gardening-success.mp3?download=true

Mushroom Growing Lesson Kits (Perfect for teachers, homeschoolers, and community gardeners!)

👉 Connect with Esther on Instagram @themessedupgardener and share your autumn garden wins, fails, and cozy compost moments!

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow plant lovers!

🛠️ Ready to get more from your garden? Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming mini masterclasses packed with real talk, practical tips, and a little bit of garden messiness.

Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages

The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms

Or Grab

· A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.

Freebies: Grab the

- "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden

- https://stan.store/EstherA

- Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA

- Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.