Gardeners' tips

Hear from our gardeners and get lots of gardening inspiration and ideas to make the most of your outdoor space

Gardeners planting tulip bulbs at Polesden Lacey
Acers at Standen in the Autumn

Autumn gardening tips 

Want to get more out of your plants, garden or growing space during autumn? Our gardening experts share their tips on how to prepare your garden for colder weather and keep plants happy and thriving.

Get gardening
Tulips are planted in the orchard at Dyrham Park near Bath to create a more informal 'Persian carpet' effect Play Video
Video

How to plant tulip bulbs


In our latest gardening video, Rebecca Bevan, author of The National Trust School of Gardening heads to Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire for a tulip planting masterclass. She finds out how to plant tulip bulbs in mid to late autumn to create vibrant displays of spring colour.

School of Gardening

The National Trust School of Gardening  

From herbaceous borders to sustainable gardening, The National Trust School of Gardening by Rebecca Bevan is inspired by 300 years of horticultural history and top tips from our gardeners. With clear and practical advice for garden development and beautiful pictures, this guide is suitable for all experience levels. Buy a copy from our online shop.

Calke Abbey, Midlands, pumpkin party

What's in season: October 

As the nights get longer and the days get colder, we're craving some warming comfort food. To prep you for the autumn ahead, check to see which fruit and veg you can buy or harvest in October. From hearty stews to warming soups, we've also got plenty of delicious recipes using fresh and seasonal produce.

Enjoy a taste of autumn
The dahlia beds in the walled garden at The Vyne, Hampshire

Delightful dahlias 

Early autumn is the best time to enjoy the delights of dahlias as they bloom in abundance. From the thousands of varieties trialled at Dyffryn in Wales in the early 1900s to Agatha Christie's collection, planted at Greenway in Devon during the 1950s, explore the dahlia's fascinating horticultural history and its role in the creation of many of our gardens.

Explore the history of dahlias

Preparing for autumn and beyond

Garden volunteer trimming the lawn edges at Morden Hall Park, London

Lawn care

Prepare your lawn for winter by leaving about 80 to 100mm of grass. This will allow the grass to utilise the lower winter sunshine levels and remain healthy and ready for spring growth.

Coleus plants at Packwood

Plant health

Don’t over-water potted plants from late autumn and through the dormant period (not at all if they are outside) as this can increase fungal diseases.

The potting shed is full of eclectic curiosities

Protect against frost

Remember to protect vulnerable plants from severe frost. Move potted plants into a shed, porch or garage; cover others with a light fleece or sheet.

Late summer colour in the cottage garden

Gardening tips for extending the season 

Here are some top tips from our head gardeners for extending the season in your own garden. There's advice about repeat-sowing, choosing late-flowering species and trees with spectacular foliage.

A gardener shows us the compost bin at Nunnington Play Video
Video

Composting with our experts


In our latest gardening video, Rebecca Bevan, the author of The National Trust School of Gardening, finds out how compost is made at Nunnington Hall in Yorkshire. She speaks to Head Gardener, Nick Fraser, about the composting system that's at the heart of keeping the gardens well-maintained and vibrant.

See our other how to guides
Decorations for your garden
Insect house attached to a pole in a garden

For the love of nature 

Encourage your nature neighbours and wandering mini-beasts to make a pit stop in your garden for food or a cosy home for the colder months. Explore our unique selection of habitats, feeders and more to help make birds, hedgehogs, bats and bugs feel welcome in your garden. You can also check out our wildlife-friendly range that's made for the love of nature in collaboration with leading wildlife specialists CJ Wildlife.

Browse our wildlife range
Honey bee feeding on a dahlia flower

Help protect pollinators 

Bees play a vital role in the natural world around us but they're under threat. By donating to support nature and wildlife at the places in our care, you'll be helping to protect these pollinators and the green spaces they call home. Now more than ever, we need your help to look after the nature and wildlife we all find comfort in.

Donate now
" I was a Head Gardener for 20 years and you never stop learning. You need to be creative, prepared to try new things and inspire a wide range of people. "
- Ian Wright, lead gardens adviser
Member of staff checking the records at the Plant Conservation Centre

Garden podcasts playlist 

Download or listen to episodes from our podcast series that explore our most important historic gardens and meet the staff and volunteers who care for them.

Listen now

Gardeners' essentials

See our range of decorative and practical items for making your garden great

Browse our garden selection