Gardening tips

IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

• Remove any fallen leaves from around the base of roses which suffered from blackspot or rust this summer to reduce the chance of reinfection next year.

• Cut back herbaceous perennials and lift and divide overcrowded clumps.

• Pick any stems of holly with berries that you may want for Christmas, now is the time to do it before the birds eat all the berries!

IN THE FRUIT GARDEN

• Divide mature clumps of rhubarb once they’re dormant.

• Plant currant bushes while they’re dormant.

• Plant raspberry canes now for a delicious home-grown crop.

• Tidy up strawberry plants – cut off any dead leaves and remove runners.

• Prune pear and apple trees any time between now and February.

• Check any stored fruits and remove any that show signs of disease or rotting.

IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

• Lift parsnips after the first frosts, when their flavour will have sweetened.

• Prepare a bed for planting autumn garlic.

• Spread manure across the surface of your vegetable beds to rot down over winter.

• Stake top-heavy brassicas and draw up some soil around the base of stems to prevent wind from rocking the plant and causing damage to the roots.

• Check stored potatoes, onions and garlic and remove any that are rotting.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR LAWN

• Aerate your lawn now – there’s still time before water sets in.

• Continue to clear fallen leaves off the lawn to keep it healthy.

• Set you mower to a higher cut-height for winter.