How to revive your garden after the hottest summer on record: Expert reveals 'autumn reset' tips after soaring temperatures and a long drought

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If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreAfter a summer of scorching heatwaves and dry spells, UK homeowners are now facing the challenge of bringing their gardens back to life - and that's before the harsh winter weather strikes.As part of the ultimate reset, home improvement retailer Wickes has teamed up with a garden expert to share five simple hacks green-thumbed enthusiasts can tackle this September to help their gardens recover and thrive throughout the colder months.From repairing baked, flood-prone soil and dethatching scorched lawns to harvesting rainwater, these essential tools and products start from just £2 and are designed to give gardens the best possible chance of bouncing back by spring.Clair Albone, Senior Category Manager for Gardens at Wickes, says: 'Many people assume garden care stops when the weather cools down, and we use our outdoor spaces less.'But early autumn is one of the most critical times of year for gardens. Taking a few simple steps now is the secret to helping your garden recover and thrive come spring.'Revive Scorched GrassFollowing a burnt-out summer, early autumn is the ideal time to give lawns some much-needed attention.While cooler temperatures and autumn rain might make it seem like the hard work is over, warm soil combined with heavy rain can leave lawns vulnerable to thatch, moss and compacted soil, which can restrict air, water and nutrients from reaching the roots.Clair says: 'Following a scorching summer, reviving grass in early autumn is crucial for achieving a healthy lawn by spring. Scarifying or dethatching is a good place to start, as it removes the build-up of dead thatch, moss and debris from the lawn's surface.'For compacted areas, tools such as the Wickes Carbon Steel Lawn Aerator - 920mm (£16) can help loosen the soil, allowing vital air, water and nutrients to reach the roots during the wetter months.'As the lawn starts to repair, it's important to continue mowing ahead of the cold weather,' Clair adds. 'Maintain the lawn to a height of around 4-5cm to help protect it from the harsh cold and flourish next spring.'When mowing, avoid removing more than one third of the grass blade at a time, as cutting too much can put unnecessary stress on recovering grass.Harvest Rainwater for Future Dry SpellsAs the wetter months arrive, autumn is the perfect time to collect rainwater and prepare for future dry spells.Storing rainfall provides a useful reserve for lawns and plants when conditions turn warmer and drier.Clair says: 'When the hot weather ends and the rain begins, it's easy to forget the impact that hot and dry weather can have on our gardens.'But as UK weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, capturing rainfall helps to prepare for future dry periods.'A rainwater harvesting system, such as the Wickes 210L Water Butt (£39), allows households to collect water throughout the wetter months and use it if dry conditions return.Nourish the soilSummer heat can leave garden soil hard, dry and compacted, making it more difficult for water to penetrate when autumn rain arrives.Adding organic matter in autumn can help break up compacted soil, improve drainage and replenish nutrients, giving plants a healthier foundation as they head into winter.Clair explains: 'Improving and maintaining soil health is important in autumn, particularly after the summer heat.'When autumn rains finally arrive, they can cause flash flooding in gardens, as the summer heat may have baked the topsoil into an impenetrable, concrete-like crust.'Adding nutrient-rich organic garden compost, such as SupaGrow Organic Garden Compost (£5, 50L), or SupaGrow Farmyard Manure (£5, 50L), in late autumn or early winter can help improve soil structure while the garden lies dormant.'A good layer of mulch can also help prevent weeds from growing and taking water from recovering plants,' Clair adds.The Wickes guide to maintaining a compost heap also offers advice on making garden waste work harder.Reposition Shrubs and PlantsAutumn can also be a good opportunity to rethink the layout of the garden and move established shrubs and plants.As many plants enter dormancy during the cooler months, growth slows and there is generally less stress on exposed roots than there would be during hot, sunny weather.Clair advises: 'The upcoming cooler months offer the best time to move plants and shrubs.'Many plants enter dormancy, a natural resting period when growth slows or stops, while the colder weather can help reduce stress on exposed roots when replanting.'For the best chance of success, choose a day when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, dig widely to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible, and water thoroughly once the plant has been repositioned.A versatile tool such as the Wickes Multi-Purpose Garden Hand Tool (£4.50) can help with digging, cutting and weeding, while Wickes Gardening Gloves (£2) offer added comfort and grip when handling soil and roots.Protect Patio Furniture from Wetter WeatherThe ultimate autumn reset isn't just about taking care of plants and lawns - outdoor furniture also needs protection as the weather turns wetter and colder.According to Clair, rain, damp leaves and cooler temperatures can quickly leave furniture exposed to moisture and damage.She added: 'The autumn garden reset means protecting the wider outdoor space from the seasonal extremes that can cause lasting damage.'After a hot, dry summer, autumn rain, damp leaves and cooler temperatures can quickly damage exposed furniture and make patios harder to enjoy.'Protective covers, such as the Charles Bentley 3 Seater Garden Swing Seat Waterproof Cover (£48), can help keep furniture dry and reduce exposure to the elements, helping extend its lifespan through autumn and winter.Keep the chemicals at bayThe long hot summer can leave garden beds parched and stressed so a douse of chemicals could prove lethal and damage the plants at their roots. Choose instead to employ some compost or organic matter to ease them in gently, until they show the green roots of recovery. Clair says: 'After a hot, dry summer, garden beds may be too stressed and dehydrated to benefit from usual go to's, such as chemical fertilisers. 'These can place additional pressure on plant roots, so I would recommend prioritising restoring your soil's moisture with slow, deep watering and adding a light layer of well-rotted compost or organic matter. 'Once the soil is hydrated and plants show signs of recovery, you can consider a gentle feed of fertiliser if needed.'Don't over pruneIts important to tidy your garden in the run up to winter but avoid over pruning. The beds are likely to be sensitive and dehydrated after the boiling summer so it's important to be gentle on your shrubs. Deadheading is vital as is removing dried stems, but don't go cutting back bushy leaves or ripping at thirsty plants just yet. 'An autumn tidy should be gentle post-drought. While it is important to deadhead spent flowers and remove stems that are completely dried or damaged, try to avoid cutting back healthy-looking growth or heavily pruning stressed shrubs and trees until spring,' Clair adds.