As autumn approaches, many gardeners are wondering how to keep borders tidy, lawns healthy, and fruit trees productive after an unusually hot season. “This Summer’s heat has been tough on our gardens, with many fruit trees already dropping their crop earlier than usual,” says James Lewis, expert gardener at MyBuilder.com, who notes that windfalls are arriving sooner and in greater quantities than many gardens can handle.
But with that glut comes risk. As James and other specialists warn, “failing to pick up fallen fruits this late summer/ early autumn can lead to a myriad of garden-related issues, potentially costing hundreds of pounds.” Because of this, the gardening expert says it’s essential to collect and remove fruit as soon as it hits the ground.
Left to rot, fallen fruit quickly becomes a pest magnet, particularly when wasps and other insects are particularly active.
As James explains, fruit can attract not only wasps and hornets, but also rats. In hot weather, “fallen fruit can begin to rot within hours,” and the smell soon travels.
In the worst cases, this could lead to having pest control in which is not a cheap job.
A rat infestation can be distressing and costly. Removal usually begins at around £100 and increases if the problem persists.
The impact on your lawn is just as serious, especially under heavy-cropping trees.
“If you have a large tree or yield, the fallen fruit can also kill off the grass underneath it within a few days, leading to patchy brown areas”, warned James.
There’s also the long-tail problem of seeds spreading; “once this process is further down the line (within 48 to 72 hours), seeds from the fruit can be spread into other areas of your garden, leading to new unwanted seedlings growing”, explained the gardening expert.
It can also lead to plants self-seeding, and saplings can spring up all over your lawn.
Add in the nutrient-rich mush that encourages weed growth, and you’ve got an ongoing cycle of weeding and lawn repair that saps time and money.
Disease is another hidden cost of neglect. If fallen fruit is left to rot on the lawn, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
Infections can spread back to the parent tree and nearby ornamentals; saving a diseased tree can be pricey, and removal can top £200.
The solution is simple and swift: “Ideally, fallen fruits should be picked up before the rotting process begins,” said James, adding, “So don’t neglect this job—pick up daily if you can and dispose of your fruit if you can’t use it.”
Wear gloves, use a rake or fruit picker to clear beneath canopies, and empty trugs and buckets promptly.
Avoid adding obviously diseased or maggoty fruit to cool home composts, opting instead for hot composting or council green waste collections.
Keep lids on bins to deter vermin, stay alert for wasp activity when picking, and consider netting or more frequent harvests to cut the number of windfalls hitting the ground in the first place.