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Autumn cleaning should not turn the garden into completely bare ground. Some remains should be removed, while others can protect soil and give the flower border winter structure. Divide work into hygiene, planting checks and equipment preparation, then provide covers according to weather and the needs of individual crops.
Remove obvious sources of problems
Collect rotten and damaged fruit and inspect branches for dried fruit still hanging. Separate plant debris with clear disease symptoms from healthy material. Choose disposal according to the identified problem and site conditions; do not use suspect leaves as mulch beneath the same crop.
Remove dense, wet accumulations of leaves from paths and lawns. Retain healthy remains selectively in borders where they will not form a soggy, compact mass at plant bases. Not all ornamental dry stems need cutting to the ground on the same day.
Check moisture before the ground freezes
After a dry autumn, pay particular attention to young trees, shrubs and evergreens. Water when moisture is insufficient and soil can still absorb it. If the plot is already wet, extra water is not an obligatory seasonal ritual.
Moisture monitoring and protection of young plantings feature in University of Minnesota Extension's winter care recommendations. Choose local timing from your forecast and soil, not another region's calendar.
Inspect fittings and contact points
Check ties, stakes and trunk guards. A tie that was loose in spring may constrict the trunk by autumn. Remove mulch accidentally piled against bark. Observe runoff from paths and roofs: winter may reveal the problem as ice beside a planting.
Do not prune every crop hard merely for neatness. Check each plant's requirements and leave complex shaping until the appropriate time. Dangerous damaged branches are a separate task assessed independently of decorative clipping.
Prepare for a quieter winter
Winterise irrigation and equipment according to their design. Clean, dry and inspect tools. Prepare supports and breathable material for sensitive plants in advance so installation does not coincide with sudden snow.
Record cultivars that struggled in summer and places where water stood. Autumn is useful for planning next season. The aim is stable plants and clear winter tasks, not the greatest possible amount of pruning, fertilising and covering in one weekend.