Summer is not quite over and we may well be blessed with a warm September and October so pottering around in the garden is still a pleasurable and constructive way to spend time outdoors. There's plenty of work to do as summer fades - summer bedding may be looking past its best, summer shrubs still need to be pruned and you need to think about spring bedding. Here are our top tips for early autumn gardening...
(Image credit: TBC)
- Winter bulbs should be planted - think anemones, bluebells, snowdrops, daffodils, tulips and crocuses
- Make sure beds are thoroughly dug and fertilised before planting
- Fill borders with autumn flowering plants such as sedum and chrysanthemum which will provide colour later in the season
- Plant new perennials in September as the soil is still warm but there is more rainfall
- Rake the lawn thoroughly to remove thatch
- Damaged areas should be spiked, fertilised and re-seeded
- Raise the height of your mower blades as grass growth will have slowed down
- Continue to prune and dead head summer plants
- Harvest and prune fruit trees - pick off any rotting fruit that will spread disease if left on the tree
- House plants that have been outside during the summer should be brought in before the first frost
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