House plants which have been outside for the summer should be lifted in their pots, cleaned off and brought back inside before the weather deteriorates. Check closely that pests including ants and slugs are not sneaking in with them
Now is the time to feed shrubs and hedges wit a high potash liquid fertilizer to harden young growth
Create a striking feature in your borders by using some plants that look good during the autumn months; Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant, ornamental grasses, heleniums, perennial asters and Michaelmas daisies all work well
Look out for green fly on winter-flowering pansies and other plants. Treat with a suitable insecticide
Give roses a final deadheading when the blooms have faded and shorten the tall stems slightly to reduce wind rock
Look out for indoor bulbs for autumn planting and daffodils that are prepared for early flowering at Christmas. Plant up containers with amaryllis bulbs and prepared hyacinths for another Christmas display
Keep any eye on early ripening apple varieties, such as Discovery, and pick the fruit as soon as it’s sweet enough to eat. Most early varieties won’t keep so eat them while they’re at their best
Now is a good time to divide any overgrown or tired looking clumps of alpines and herbaceous perennials. This will invigorate them, improving flowering and overall shape for next year
Ventilate conservatories and greenhouses during the remaining warmer days but reduce ventilation once the cooler and gusty autumn weather sets in. Be ready to reduce shading towards the end of the month too as light levels fall
Mow the lawn less frequently and raise the height of the cut as the growth rate of the grass slows down. You can now start to think about autumn lawn care including scarifying, aerating and top dressing
This is an ideal time of year to create new lawns from turf or seed
Clean up patios and hard surfaces to get rid of moss and algae. Doing this job now will prevent them becoming slippery during the winter
