How Should I Adjust Watering My Plants in Autumn and Winter Compared to Spring and Summer?

Plants are pretty inactive during winter due to reduced light and cooler temps. This means they'll use less water. Your method of checking the top 2 inches of soil is perfect! For lighter pots, lifting them to check if they're too light can also help assess if they need water. It might be helpful to place taller plants in sheltered spots to prevent them from getting knocked over by wind, too.

During autumn and winter, I hardly water my plants since it usually rains quite a bit. If it gets really dry for an extended period, then sure, I'd water, but generally, they don't need much moisture when it's cold. It's more about avoiding watering too much during those months—overwatering can lead to waterlogged roots and that’s more harmful than allowing them to dry out a bit.

I'm thinking of covering some of my plants this year to keep them warm, particularly a few Fuchsias. I also plan to repot some plants and add mulch for insulation. Checking soil moisture as you mentioned is key. I usually only water potted plants infrequently during winter since they slow down their growth and excess water can sit stagnant. Less is often better when it comes to watering during the colder months!