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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

and containersPlant wallflowers, pansies, forget-me-nots and other spring beddingLift and divide congested clumps of perennialsLift gladioli and store their corms after the flowers have fadedSow hardy annuals outside for early flowers next summerBuy spring

Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns Plant up patio pots for autumn interestLift gladioli, clean the corms and store them in a shed or garagePrune rambling and climbing roses, and shorten long shoots on standard roses

Bring aeoniums and other tender succulents under cover for winter Empty begonia tubers from pots, clean off the compost and store somewhere dark and dryWater plants more sparingly now conditions are getting coolerWash off all shade paint and remove

Treat field horsetail with a systemic herbicide such as glyphosateInstall water butts to collect rainwater over winterScarify, aerate and feed your lawnGather up hoses, sprinklers and watering equipment to store away for winterWrap insulation

cataloguesMow lawns during dry weather with blades set highBring garden hoses and sprinklers under cover for winter to avoid damage in freezing weatherCollect canes and plant supports, and store them in the shedSow a green manure crop over bare areas

Plant tulip bulbs in groups to make drifts of spring colourAfter first frosts, lift and store dahlia tubers or leave in the ground but mulch heavilyPlant evergreen shrubs and conifers, including new hedgesLift tender cannas to avoid frost damage

on staging to dry thoroughly before storingMonitor day and night temperatures with a max-min thermometer and turn on heating if neededWater plants sparingly and avoid splashing the water aroundMove Christmas cacti to where they get short days and long nights

Clear away climbing beans, then pull up, clean and store away canes and supportsPlant new fruit trees and bushesCheck fruits in storage and remove any showing signs of rotPot up leafy herbs to bring on to a window sill and use in winterSow hardy

Wash and disinfect bird feeders and tables Collect fallen leaves and add to a leaf bin to compost down Spread fresh gravel or grit around alpine plants Shred prunings and add to your compost heapCollect and empty hoses and sprinklers to store