Autumn has arrived!!! There are still quite a few plants in your garden to put a smile on your face, from the reddening leaves of the Liquid Amber tree, the amazing purple berries on the Callicarpa (Beauty Berry) and the pretty flowers of the Aster; we can still have lots of colour.

There is work to be done and now is the time for the start of preparation for the Spring and Summer of next year!

The lawns will still need to be cut, just take off the tips. Grass will continue to grow just as long as it stays above 7 degrees. Now and next month is the ideal time to give your lawn its Autumn Treatment. Weed and Feed with moss killer will strengthen your grass and help in the fight against the moss.

Bulbs can now be planted. Add a handful of grit under the bulbs to give drainage, especially Tulips; this will stop them from rotting. Look at the photographs or notes you took earlier on in the year, these will tell you where more colour is needed. And Plant away!!

Autumn is a great time to work on your borders. Existing perennials will need looking over, cut back the Echinaceas and Heleniums to name but a few. Inspect them, remove any rotting foliage or flowers, and clear all debris from around the plants base. Can some be dug up and split and spread elsewhere?

Hedges should be given a final cut at this time of year, don’t cut too deep. Conifers will struggle to re-grow if you cut back too deep

Autumn leaves will need to be cleared up and piled in an area. If you have the space a leaf cage is ideal. Allow the leaves to rot down and next year you will have some beautiful compost perfect for that shady area.

Are there gaps, structure or colour lacking?? Something is needed for the Spring or Summer? Is your shady area quite dull? Add a variegated plant or two. There are many plants that you could choose from.