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Pick ripe apples and store the best in fruit cratesDig up strawberry runners and pot them upNet autumn raspberries and blackberries to protect them from birdsLift and dry maincrop potatoes and store in paper sacks in a cool, dark placePot up a few

seed mixed with compost on to lawns to thicken growthPrune suckers away from around the base of ornamental treesProtect large ceramic or glazed pots from frost damage by wrapping them in bubble polytheneOrder bare-rooted roses for planting in autumn

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

Plant spring bedding, including wallflowers and forget-me-nots, among tulipsLift, divide and replant congested clumps of perennialsNet holly berries to protect them from hungry birds if you want them for Christmas arrangementsPlant lily bulbs, including

of ground, to dig into the ground as fertiliser in springThrow a net over branches of holly berries to protect them from hungry birds

Collect seed from allium seedheads and sow straight away into seed compostPlant evergreen shrubs and conifer hedgesCarefully dig up gladioli corms and overwinter in cool, dry storage conditionsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winter

the crowns of hardy fuchsias to provide protection from cold

Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top for the worms to pull undergroundLift and divide congested clumps of rhubarbCut down asparagus ferns and the tops of Jerusalem artichokesUse cloches to protect winter peas, beans and saladsLift and pot

to summerCover broad beans and peas with cloches for winter protectionLift and divide large clumps of rhubarbCut down Jerusalem artichokes then dig up and store tubers in buckets of dry compostPrune sideshoots on gooseberries back to about 5cmPile earth up

freezing around parsnipsTake hardwood cuttings from currants and gooseberriesNet cabbages and other brassicas to protect them from pigeon damagePlace forcing jars over crowns of seakaleContinue winter digging, adding spent mushroom compost to improve