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Prepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberTop up water levels in pebble fountains and poolsDeal with problem lawn weeds, digging them out or applying herbicideOrder spring-flowering bulbs to plant this autumn

Improve soil ready for sowing a lawn from seed during showery autumn weatherHoe and hand weed bordersOrder sweet pea seeds for autumn sowing in potsPinch out the tips of wallflowers to promote bushier growthBuy spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, crocuses

Mow lawns then trim new edges with a half-moon edging toolDig compost into borders to improve water retention Add copper rings to pots to protect plants from slugs and snailsHoe bare areas of soil on dry days to remove weed seedlingsReplenish gravel

Treat timber fences, trellis and posts with preservativeInstall water butts to all downpipes on your house, shed or greenhouse, to collect rainwaterApply moss killer to lawnsFork compost into any unused border area, ready for summer beddingCut away

Dig out lawn weeds, such as daisies and dandelionsWatch out for greenfly and blackfly developing on shrubs, perennials and roses, and spray with a soft soap solution if infestations are badCollect hellebore seeds from ripe pods, and store

Field horsetail is also known as marestail. Once established, it has roots that extend to 2m deep, and spreads by means of creeping rhizomes. The plant produces light-brown stems in late spring, topped with cone-like structures

- and nothing could be fresher.Cut out any plain green shoots on variegated shrubs and treesTreat moss and weeds in lawns with weed killerHoe bare areas of soil to prevent weedsAround the gardenPlant gladioli in groups to depth of 10-15cmComplete outside sowings

Why is it that dandelions are regarded as weeds? They're amazingly beautiful, have a strong and reliable flower colour, they're hardy, vigorous plants and they're even edible.I love dandelions, which is great as the warm, wet weather of the past two

After the frantic time of summer holidays, when it's as much as I can do to remember to mow the lawn occasionally or throw a bucket of water on anything that's drooped dangerously, we are edging back to the normal routines of work, school and ... a

of this will be laced with old lime mortar.This isn't the first time I've seen pyramidals hereabouts. Three years ago I found a lone spire growing from the lawn of the local church, St Clement with St Peter. The present church was built in the early 1950s. The original