With the seasons changing there are things that need to be done, one expert says
Deep watering is one of the jobs(Image: Jaromir via Getty Images)
As leaves turn brown and plants wilt, many gardeners think autumn has come early. But experts warn this is no seasonal shift, it’s a phenomenon known as “false autumn”, a desperate survival response from trees and plants pushed to the brink by this summer’s record-breaking heat.
The Met Office confirms that extreme conditions can trigger plants to behave as if the season has changed, even while it is still officially summer. With astronomical autumn beginning on September 22, time is running out to reverse the damage.
That’s according to Liam Cleary, gardening expert at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, who said: “If you don’t help your plants recover before colder weather sets in, the stress of false autumn could leave them too weak to survive the winter.”
This is more than an aesthetic issue, Liam said. Weeks of high temperatures left soil baked and compacted, meaning even recent rainfall hasn’t been able to penetrate deeply enough to sustain roots. Without urgent action, gardens risk long-term decline.
The expert’s three-step garden rescue plan
Liam recommended three simple steps that gardeners should take immediately:
1. Mulch hack – Apply bark or wood chips around plant bases to lock in moisture and restore the soil’s sponge-like texture.
2. Deep watering – Use a watering can or drip hose for slow, targeted watering so moisture reaches the roots beneath the compacted surface.3. Nutrient boost – Apply a liquid fertiliser to give plants the energy they need to recover and build strength before winter.
“False autumn isn’t a picturesque seasonal change,” Liam added. “It’s a warning sign that gardens are in distress. Acting now could be the difference between losing plants this winter or seeing them thrive next spring.”
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