GENERAL

Leaf fall continues and they should all be collected and placed in a wire or plastic mesh enclosure so that they can rot down and become leaf mould, an invaluable soil conditioner.

Continue the clearing up and cultivation of vacant beds and borders.

Paths, patios and paved areas are often very slippery with accumulated algae at this time of the year. Scrub with a stiff brush or power wash.

LAWN

Remove fallen leaves from the lawn every few days. If a carpet of leaves remains on the lawn this can cause the grass to yellow and rapidly deteriorate.

Clean up the lawn mower and put it away for the winter. It is prudent to get the blades sharpened at this time of the year, rather than leaving it until the spring.

POND

Net the pond and around it to prevent falling leaves from blowing into the water.

FLOWERS

Bare rooted trees, shrubs, roses, climbers and herbaceous plants are available now and can be planted where soil preparation has been thorough.

Lilies can be planted both outdoors and in containers now.

Ground cover plants and heathers can be planted between now and the spring.

This is a good time to establish a hedge. Do not consider only traditional privet and laurel, for there are many good flowering hedges such as berberis and escallonia.

Tidy up the rock garden and protect any hairy or grey leafed plants from the wet by placing a sheet of glass over them raised on two bricks.

Many decorative shrubs such as philadelphus, weigela and forsythia can be now propagated from hardwood cuttings rooted in a cold frame or a sheltered spot outdoors.

VEGETABLES

Cut back asparagus and tidy up the bed adding a top dressing of well rotted organic matter.

Run the hoe between winter crops of brassicas in order to keep the soil surface fresh and friable.

Dig as much of the vegetable plot as possible before the New Year so that there is plenty of time for the soil to be weathered by wind, rain and frost.

FRUIT

Plant new fruit trees and bushes. If the fruit trees are bush, half-standard or standard ensure that they are well staked.

GREENHOUSE

Take care with the watering. Most plants benefit from reduced watering and no feeding during the winter unless they are flowering freely.

Ensure that short-day plants like poinsettia receive less than twelve hours of day length. This is important and ensures that they flower at the correct time.

Dead head and de-leaf regularly. It is very important during the autumn and winter in order to prevent disease build up.

In mild weather be sure to ventilate adequately.