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Use a fork or hollow-tined aerator to spike your lawn and improve drainage Dig up and pot up tender perennials to bring indoors for winter protectionRaise the cutting height when mowing the lawnApply an autumn lawn foodCover ponds with netting
Collect and compost autumn leaves Cut back suckers growing around the base of treesVisit garden centres to choose bulbs and bedding for spring displaysMow lawns less frequently now grass growth is slowing downComplete new lawn laying projects during
A maggot, the larva of the cranefly or daddy-longlegs, which attacks the roots of many plants, including flowers, vegetables and pot plants. May also attack lawns, causing dead patches of grass to appear.
Choosing secateursImproving your lawnCutting a clean lawn edgeView a selection of vegetable plants Browse a variety of hardy perennials
Mow lawns regularly, gradually lowering the height of the cut as spring progressesTreat problem weeds, such as nettles and brambles, with weedkillerTidy up hedges, but before you start cutting make sure no birds are nesting in them Keep large sheets
Pick herbs, lavender and everlasting flowers to hang and dryBe on the lookout for developing pest problems and take actionDig out problem lawn weeds or treat with weedkiller Re-seed bare patches in lawnsWash out pond filtersWater hydrangeas with a
Sow green manure crops to fill bare soilRemove pond weedsHoe and hand weed bordersFeed plants such as roses, shrubs and hedgesPrepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberSend off for mail-order bulb catalogues
Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies, or daddy-longlegs. The female fly lays up to 300 eggs in the lawn in late-summer. These hatch after a couple of weeks into grey-black, legless larvae that have a tough, leathery skin, hence the name
in earthy shades produce natural-looking effects and appealing textures that will add interest to any stretch of lawn.2-3cm diameter pebblesSlate chippingsA bag of ready-mixed cement26 litre tub trugPieces of steel mesh large enough to fit base of tub trug
Couch grass often grows in among cultivated plants. It's a clump-forming perennial that spreads through the soil via underground stems or stolons, and is easily spread by cultivation. It can creep from lawns to infest flower and vegetable beds
