Start planting bulbs for spring display now. As a quick rule for depth of planting, bulbs should be planted 3 times the height of the bulb.
Prune late flowering shrubs and finish trimming evergreen hedges by mid September to make sure they are in shape for winter. Divide herbaceous perennials if they have outgrown their space or are looking tired. Doing this will improve their flowering and shape and invigorate them.
Pick autumn raspberries regularly to keep them cropping. Net garden ponds before the leaves start to fall. Take cuttings of tender perennials such as fuchsias and Pelargoniums before they get caught by the frost.
Climbing roses can be pruned now after they have flowered, prune flowered sideshoots back to a couple of buds from main branches. Dead, diseased and spindly growth can be cut out and new young shoots tied in.
Mow lawns less frequently and raise height of cut. Apply an autumn weed and feed which is high in potassium. As the weather cools begin to scarify, aerate and top dress.
Cut summer flowering meadows after they have gone to seed. Leave cuttings for a few days to allow remaining seeds to fall, then rake up so that the cuttings are not left to enrich the ground. Sow sweet peas in cold frame or greenhouse for early blooms next year.
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