The autumn garden cleanup works best in three passes: one in September, the bulk in October once the leaves are down, and a final round in November. The labour is RUT-eligible at 50 percent, while hauling the waste away is not.
When in autumn?
The common mistake is saving everything for one session in November. By then the ground is wet, the days are short, and some of the work is already too late to matter.
| Month | What you do |
|---|---|
| September | Last feed, plant bulbs, bring tender pots in, sow new grass if needed |
| October | The bulk: leaves, final mow, emptying beds, cutting hedges |
| November | Drain water, store hoses and furniture, clean tools, check gutters |
Weather matters more than the date. In a mild year leaves fall well into November; in a cold one it is over by mid-October.
The checklist
The lawn
- The final mow once growth has stopped, slightly shorter than usual but never scalped
- Get the leaves off before rain packs them down
- Aerate and feed with autumn fertiliser, which is potassium-rich rather than nitrogen-based
More in lawn care in autumn.
Leaves and garden waste
- Leaves off the lawn, paving and steps, where they smother or turn slippery
- Leaves left in beds and under shrubs as winter cover
- Check the gutters once the trees are bare
See leaf removal cost.
Beds and shrubs
- Cut back what should be cut back now, which is far from everything
- Lift dahlias, gladioli and other tender tubers before the first real frost
- Cover delicate plants with leaves or spruce branches
What to prune now and what must wait is in autumn pruning.
Water, tools and furniture
- Shut off and drain outdoor taps and hoses. Water that freezes splits both hose and pipe.
- Empty and turn over terracotta pots, which crack otherwise
- Clean and oil secateurs and spades before storing them
- Garden furniture and cushions indoors, or under cover
What not to do
This surprises people: a completely tidied garden is worse than a partly tidied one.
- Seed heads on perennials feed birds through winter and look striking in frost
- A pile of leaves in a corner shelters hedgehogs and insects
- Hollow stems left standing are used by solitary bees
Remove leaves where they do harm, meaning lawns and paths, and leave the rest. It saves time and genuinely makes the garden better.
What it costs
2026 guide figures, the same rates as other garden maintenance:
| Before RUT | After RUT | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate, one gardener | 500–800 SEK | 250–400 SEK |
| Normal detached garden, 4–8 h | 2,000–6,400 SEK | 1,000–3,200 SEK |
| Waste removal (no deduction) | 500–1,500 SEK | 500–1,500 SEK |
The full price picture is in gardening cost and RUT.
RUT for autumn garden work
The labour is RUT-eligible: 50 percent of the labour cost (Skatteverket), up to 75,000 SEK per person per year shared with ROT.
Qualifies:
- Raking leaves, mowing, cutting hedges and shrubs
- Pruning and felling trees on the plot
- Weeding and treating moss
- Gathering garden waste ready for removal
Does not qualify:
- Hauling the garden waste away. Gathering it counts, driving it off does not.
- Planting or replanting, even when it replaces something removed
- Advice and garden design
- Hiring machinery and tools
- Cleaning roofs and gutters, which is ROT instead, and only for detached houses
The work must be done on the plot where you live, payment must be electronic, and the person doing the work must not be related to you. More in the RUT deduction.
Common questions
When should you do the autumn garden cleanup?
Start in September, do the bulk in October once the leaves have fallen, and finish in November with water, tools and furniture.
What does an autumn garden cleanup include?
Leaves, the final mow, pruning, emptying beds, lifting tender plants, and draining and storing hoses and furniture.
Does autumn garden work qualify for RUT?
Yes, 50 percent of the labour (Skatteverket). Hauling the waste away does not qualify.
What does an autumn garden cleanup cost?
Around 500 to 800 SEK per hour before RUT as a 2026 guide figure. A detached garden usually takes four to eight hours.
Do you have to remove every leaf?
No. Clear the lawn and paths, but leave them in beds and under shrubs.
What happens if you skip it?
Yellow grass and moss by spring, blocked gutters, and hoses and pots split by frost.
Related guides: leaf removal cost, autumn pruning and gardening services. Back to gardening in Stockholm.