Summer may have ended (and you thought it hadn’t even started) with winter not too far off, but all is not lost! Now’s the time to enjoy all those yellow, red and orange tones of autumn leaves before they drop… they look magical in the morning light with the sunshine slanting through the trees. And grasses are wonderful at this time of the year and add structure to a garden, whilst autumn bulbs shine like jewels.

Before the end of October, plant bulbs for next year (with the exception of tulips which, if planted in November, have less risk of developing virus). Now is an ideal time to carry out all lawn work - the damp atmosphere provides ideal conditions - either creating new lawns or repairing, aerating and scarifying existing ones. Herbaceous perennials can be tidied up for the winter. Cut old foliage right back to the ground and remove any debris. Divide those perennials which might be getting a little too big for their space. Use the healthy plant around the edges and discard the centre for a vibrant plant next year. Soon it will be time to lift dahlias but avoid doing this until you see the first signs of frost, especially if there is still plenty of growth and buds on plants.

To avoid frost damage take clay pots into your garage, greenhouse or shed for the winter. Wrap up precious pots that might be liable to crack in heavy frost – bubble wrap is good for this.

While the weather is still mild, finish clipping evergreen hedges and topiary. Using secateurs, shorten back to their base any shoots that are starting to run up the hedge. This helps keep the hedge slimline and also avoids it splaying out in the long term.

Start preparing new borders to be planted up next year: dig them over to a few spades’ depths, taking out weed roots and adding coarse, old compost or fallen leaves. If making a bed from an old lawn, lay the turf upside-down in the bottom of the bed, but only if it doesn’t contain perennial weeds.