London (change)
Today 9°C / 6°C
Tomorrow 16°C / 9°C

Job of the week

Repair a lawn patch

Repair those unsightly gaps and worn out patches now and you'll give your lawn a new lease of life so it looks its best in summer. Giving it attention now will ensure that new grass roots have time to establish before the cold weather sets in.
Takes just 30 minutes

Flowers

  • Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns
  • Plant up patio pots for autumn interest
  • Lift gladioli, clean the corms and store them

Fruit & veg

  • Make a cross-cut in cabbage stems when harvesting
  • Sow broad beans for early crops next May and June
  • Put cloches over tender herbs like basil and coriander

Greenhouse

  • Bring tender succulents under cover for winter
  • Empty begonia tubers from pots
  • Water plants more sparingly

Around the garden

  • Use a fork or hollow-tined aerator to spike lawns
  • Dig up and pot up tender perennials to bring indoors
  • Raise the cutting height when mowing the lawn