The start of the new school year often marks a change of pace in the garden. The holidays are over, the days are gradually getting shorter, the evenings are becoming cooler, and some areas of the garden may have taken advantage of the summer to grow much more than expected.
However, the end of summer is certainly not the time to neglect your outdoor space. On the contrary, it is one of the best times to tidy up the garden, prepare the lawn for autumn, trim hedges and edges, clean outdoor surfaces and anticipate the work that will need to be done over the coming weeks.
The start of the new school year is therefore a particularly interesting transition period: you can still fully enjoy the garden while gradually preparing it for the cooler season ahead.
So, what should you do in the garden at the start of the new school year? Where should you begin? Which tools are really useful at the end of summer? Here is our complete guide to efficiently organising your garden work between late August and September.
1. Start by inspecting the garden after summer
Before getting your tools out, the first step is simply to assess the overall condition of your garden.
After several weeks of hot weather, holidays or less regular maintenance, several needs may arise at the same time:
- grass that has grown too high;
- untidy lawn edges;
- yellowing or thinning grass;
- hedges that have grown considerably;
- branches that need pruning;
- a terrace or outdoor furniture that needs cleaning;
- areas of the garden that need preparing for autumn.
Ideally, avoid tackling everything at random. By working in the right order, it becomes much easier to quickly restore a neat and pleasant garden.
2. Tackle overgrown areas before mowing
If certain parts of the garden have become particularly tall or dense, starting directly with the lawn mower may not be the best solution.
A lawn mower is primarily designed to maintain grass at a reasonable height. When the grass has become very tall or certain areas are heavily overgrown, it is often preferable to cut them back first with a brush cutter.
This method allows you to quickly tackle:
- tall grass;
- slopes and banks;
- areas around trees;
- the base of fences;
- areas that are maintained less frequently;
- places that are difficult to reach with a lawn mower.
Once these areas have been cut back, the lawn mower or robotic lawn mower can resume its normal work on the lawn.
If your garden has become particularly overgrown during the summer, you can also read our guide dedicated to restoring a garden after the holidays: Overgrown garden after summer: how can you quickly get it back into shape?
For more demanding work, a powerful petrol machine such as the CHESTER 52 cc – 1.45 kW petrol brush cutter can be particularly useful thanks to its power reserve and versatility.
3. Restore the lawn after the summer heat
Summer can be particularly demanding on your lawn. Heat, drought, repeated foot traffic and lack of water can leave grass looking yellow, thinner or uneven.
The start of the new school year is therefore an excellent time to take a close look at the condition of your lawn.
Resume regular mowing when the grass begins to grow again. If you already use a robotic lawn mower, it can gradually return to its normal schedule once excessively tall areas have been reduced to a suitable height.
If the lawn looks particularly tired, yellow or covered with a layer of thatch, scarifying can also be considered when conditions are suitable.
The CHESTER 1800 W electric scarifier can help remove thatch and moss accumulated on the soil surface.
This can help air, water and nutrients reach the base of the grass more effectively.
4. Restore neat edges around the garden
Lawn edges are often among the first areas to reveal that a garden has received less maintenance for a few weeks.
Around terraces, walls, trees or flower beds, grass can quickly spread beyond its usual boundaries and make the entire garden look less tidy.
This is where a grass trimmer becomes particularly useful.
It should not be confused with a brush cutter:
- a brush cutter is designed for tall grass and more demanding vegetation;
- a grass trimmer is mainly intended for precise finishing work.
Once the more overgrown areas have been tackled, spending just a few minutes tidying the edges can visually transform the entire garden.
5. Check hedges and shrubs
By the end of summer, some hedges may have developed new growth and gradually lost their shape.
Depending on the species concerned and its recommended pruning period, it may be useful to lightly trim the edges to restore a more regular shape.
A hedge trimmer allows you to work quickly across larger hedge surfaces.
If several types of garden work need to be carried out, a multifunction petrol garden tool can be particularly practical, as several functions can be combined around a single engine.
6. Gradually prepare for pruning work
The end of summer also marks the beginning of a period when certain pruning tasks gradually become more important.
Before carrying out any work, it is essential to consider the species of tree or shrub concerned, as not all plants should be pruned at the same time.
When branches need to be removed or shortened, using the right tool allows you to work more cleanly and efficiently.
Garden owners who want to combine brush cutting, hedge trimming and pruning can once again opt for a multifunction petrol garden tool.
7. Clean the terrace after summer
After several months of intensive use, the terrace may also need a thorough clean.
Dust, soil marks, plant debris, dirt around outdoor furniture and marks left by the weather can gradually accumulate.
The end of summer is therefore an excellent time to clean:
- the terrace;
- paths and walkways;
- outdoor furniture;
- certain walls;
- edging and hard outdoor surfaces.
A pressure washer can make this type of work considerably easier when used on suitable surfaces.
This step can quickly restore a cleaner outdoor space before autumn gradually arrives.
8. Don't put the terrace away too early
The start of the new school year does not necessarily mean the end of outdoor meals and evenings.
September days can still be very pleasant. It is mainly the evenings that gradually become cooler.
Rather than immediately putting away your garden furniture, it can therefore be worthwhile adapting the terrace to the cooler season.
A pergola, for example, can help structure and protect your outdoor living space.
And when temperatures start to fall in the evening, a patio heater can provide targeted warmth around a table or outdoor lounge area.
A hanging infrared model such as the 1500 W hanging infrared patio heater can be particularly interesting when a suitable structure allows it to be installed.
The end of summer can therefore be an excellent opportunity to extend the use of your terrace rather than closing it down prematurely for the season.
9. Start thinking about storing your equipment
Even though the gardening season is far from over, this is a good time to start organising outdoor tools and equipment.
After several months of use, many gardens gradually accumulate:
- hand tools;
- garden machinery;
- mowing accessories;
- garden hoses;
- cushions and terrace accessories;
- maintenance products.
A well-organised storage area helps protect equipment and makes future garden work easier.
If there is not enough room in the garage or house, a garden shed can be a particularly useful solution for keeping outdoor equipment together in one place.
10. Prepare the garden for autumn without rushing
At the end of summer, there is no need to put the entire garden into winter mode just yet.
The aim is instead to gradually prepare for the transition.
This period can be used to:
- tackle overgrown areas;
- improve the condition of the lawn;
- trim certain hedges when the timing is appropriate;
- clean outdoor surfaces;
- organise your tools;
- prepare for upcoming autumn jobs.
By working progressively from the end of summer onwards, autumn garden maintenance becomes much easier.
Which tools are really useful in the garden at the end of summer?
This obviously depends on your garden, but several types of equipment are particularly useful at this time of year.
The brush cutter
It allows you to quickly tackle tall grass, slopes and difficult areas after summer. Discover our selection of brush cutters.
The grass trimmer
It is used after the heavier work to restore clean, precise edges around the lawn. Discover our grass trimmers.
The robotic lawn mower
It automates regular lawn maintenance once the grass has returned to a suitable height. Discover our robotic lawn mowers.
The scarifier
It becomes particularly useful when the lawn looks tired or has developed a layer of thatch after summer.
The multifunction garden tool
It provides a versatile solution when you need to brush cut, trim hedges and carry out pruning work using the same engine unit. Discover our multifunction petrol garden tools.
The patio heater
It allows you to extend evenings outdoors when temperatures gradually fall after sunset. Discover our patio heaters.
In what order should you carry out end-of-summer garden work?
To save time, we generally recommend the following order:
- inspect the garden and identify the priorities;
- brush cut areas where the grass is very high;
- resume mowing the lawn;
- tidy the lawn edges and carry out finishing work;
- assess the condition of the lawn and consider scarifying if necessary;
- trim hedges and certain plants when the timing is appropriate;
- clean the terrace and outdoor surfaces;
- gradually organise equipment for autumn.
This method allows you to tackle the most important jobs first and achieve visible results quickly.
Is the end of summer a good time to invest in garden equipment?
Yes, particularly because garden maintenance needs begin to change.
At the height of summer, maintenance is often focused on mowing, watering and enjoying the terrace. Towards the end of summer, priorities gradually shift towards:
- brush cutting;
- restoring the lawn;
- pruning;
- cleaning;
- storage;
- preparing for autumn.
Investing in a versatile tool or a machine suited to your garden can therefore make this transition period easier to manage and help prepare for the months ahead.
The end of summer: the ideal time to take control of your garden again
The end of the holidays does not mean the end of the gardening season.
On the contrary, this is one of the most useful times of year to tackle overgrown areas, improve the lawn, clean the terrace, tidy hedges and gradually prepare for autumn.
A few well-organised tasks can be enough to keep your garden neat, pleasant and easy to maintain for many more weeks.
At Chestergarden, specialist in tools, gardening, DIY and outdoor living, we select equipment designed to help maintain, improve and enhance outdoor spaces throughout the year.
The end of summer is therefore less about putting the garden away and more about intelligently preparing it for the season ahead.
FAQ: what should you do in the garden at the end of summer?
What should you do first in the garden at the end of summer?
Start by assessing the overall condition of the garden. The main priorities are generally tackling overgrown areas, mowing the lawn, tidying the edges, checking the condition of the grass and cleaning the main outdoor surfaces.
Can you still mow the lawn in September?
Yes. As long as the grass continues to grow and weather conditions are suitable, mowing remains useful. Simply adjust the frequency gradually according to the growth rate.
Should you scarify the lawn at the end of summer?
Late summer and early autumn can be suitable periods for scarifying when the lawn is actively growing and conditions are favourable. This can help remove some of the thatch that has accumulated.
What should you do if the garden is overgrown after the holidays?
It is generally best to start by brush cutting the tallest areas before mowing. A brush cutter is better suited than a lawn mower when the grass has become particularly tall or dense.
What is the difference between a brush cutter and a grass trimmer?
A brush cutter is designed for tall grass and more demanding work. A grass trimmer is mainly used for finishing around walls, trees, terraces and flower beds.
Can you still trim hedges at the end of summer?
It depends on the species. Some hedges can still be lightly trimmed at the end of summer, but it is always best to check the recommended pruning period for each plant.
What should you do with a yellow lawn after summer?
First check whether the grass starts recovering naturally as temperatures become milder and rainfall returns. Appropriate mowing, scarifying when necessary and gradual maintenance can help the lawn regain a denser appearance.
Should you start preparing the garden for autumn in September?
Yes, but gradually. There is no need to put everything away immediately. September is primarily a good time to clean up, manage vegetation, organise tools and anticipate autumn maintenance.
Can you still enjoy the terrace after summer?
Yes. September days can still be very pleasant. When evenings become cooler, a pergola, sheltered area or patio heater can help you continue enjoying your outdoor space for longer.
What is the most versatile tool for end-of-summer garden work?
If several tasks need to be carried out, a multifunction petrol garden tool can be particularly useful because, depending on the attachment used, it can brush cut, trim hedges or prune using the same engine unit.
