Some Broad beans and pea varieties (such as Aquadulce Claudia and Pea ‘Douce Provence’) can be sown now for an earlier crop next year, along with spring cabbages and spinach (which might need to be covered from frosts).
Onions and garlic can also be planted now for harvesting next year. There is still time to sow some salad crops such as winter lettuce mixes and mizuna, and why not put in a row or two of radishes as they are quick to mature.
Some seeds can be sown now such as English marigold, cornflower, Californian poppies are a couple of suggestions. Either sow direct in to ground where they are to flower next year, or sow in modules to plant out later. Take cuttings of tender perennials such as fuchsias and Pelargoniums before they get caught by the frost.
Start planting bulbs for spring display now. Divide herbaceous perennials if they have outgrown their space or are looking tired. Net ponds before the autumn leaves start to fall. This is normally a time when gardeners start to clear up, but if you want to encourage wildlife why not leave some seedheads, and let some herbaceous perennials dieback naturally thereby providing food and shelter for birds and small animals. Wash and disinfect bird feeders and tables to maintain hygiene, and if the feeders are quite old think about replacing them.
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