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Clean and sharpen pruning toolsRepair and treat fencing and timber structures while climbing plants are dormantBring all watering equipment indoors, including hoses and sprinklersWrap insulation around outside taps and cut off the water supply

Plant colourful, evergreen Phormium 'Cream Delight' in a patio pot to brighten winter displaysTake care not to walk over borders or on lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emergingOrder young plants from mail-order companies

Move worm compost bins under cover for winterEmpty glazed and ceramic pots that aren't frost-proof and move under coverOrder loads of farmyard manure or mushroom compost to use over winterCut down marginal plants surrounding pondsCheck piles

Trim hedges to keep them neat, then shred and compost the clippingsTop up compost or bark mulches around heathersHoe and hand weed bordersWater hanging baskets and patio containers regularlyPlace orders for bulbs to plant this autumnDeadhead flowers

Prune suckers away from the base of ornamental treesCollect hoses, sprinklers and other watering equipment to store in the shed over winterProtect glazed pots from frost damage by wrapping up or bringing into a shedOrder bare-root roses for planting

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

compost to dig in over winter, or pile onto the soil for the worms to drag underCut down marginal plants surrounding pondsSend off for mail-order seed and perennials cataloguesMow your lawn on a dry day with the blades set highWrap outside taps

Bulk up the compost heap with spent flowerheads and stems from around the garden Improve drainage on compacted lawns by spiking the ground with a fork or aeratorCut everlasting flowers and ornamental grasses for dryingPut netting across ponds

to stop leaves falling inRemove pumps and filters from ponds and water featuresEmpty ceramic and glazed pots to store under cover for winterCollect fallen leaves smothering alpines and other plantsOrder roses, hedging and fruit trees for winter planting

privetKeep mowing the lawn regularlyDeadhead border plants, unless you want to collect seedsPick everlasting flowers or herbs for dryingOrder flower bulbs for autumn planting including colchicum, daffodils and other spring bulbsLook out for developing