Suddenly, we are getting the rain the plants have wanted all summer and autumn. The down-side of this is that with the last of the warmth, seedlings have sprung up everywhere and weeding is now top of the agenda in most gardens.
The up-side of this is that many plants are having a second flush of flowers (a small Syringa outside my window is producing wonderful flowers and scent). My advice would be to leave the cutting back and tidying up until as late into the year as possible unless your garden has had a hammering from the wind: we may be in for a very mild winter.
The other up-side to a mild autumn are the glorious colours, not only from the obvious plants, but as seen in the wider landscape too. If you want to understand a clothing fashion autumn collection, then go for a country walk and see what colours are being picked up by a setting sun. They absolutely glow at times and can be extremely subtle.
So, when you are not scanning the horizon, jobs to do this month include:
• Tulips can be planted out this and the next month: sometimes they are best displayed in pots and are certainly easier to weed, lift and protect like this.
• Cut back herbaceous plants that have gone over keeping the ones that may be a source of food for the winter. This may be seed heads of ornamental grasses or perennials like Sedum, which also look great in the winter light, often with a ghostly sliver to them.
• Give your compost heap a good turning over. If the compost has rotted down well enough and has a high enough level of humus (the dark, nutrient rich essence that retains moisture and attracts trace elements), then autumn is a good time to spread it on the borders as a mulch.
• Rake the leaves off ornamental lawns to allow light and air to circulate and prevent patches of mildew developing.
• Lifting and dividing overgrown perennials that have lost their vigorous core.
• With the colder weather arriving, it is coming into the time when it is safe to lift and move trees and shrubs. Be careful not to allow the roots to dry out.
• Check tree ties and stakes in preparation for windy weather to come.
• Aerating the lawn either with a dedicated tool or the good old method of jumping on a fork will improve drainage and so the health of the grass.
• Burn dead and diseased leaves and debris (if the neighbours are happy with this!). This basic garden hygiene will keep down the levels of blackspot and scab. Wait until November 5th if you need to!
• Keep as many leaves as possible off the pond and watch out for hungry herons who can puncture your pond liner when fishing: fake herons can be effective if you move them every month.
When deciding which plants to keep and which plants to cut back, an interesting exercise can be to identify the colours and decide which ones work together and which ones don’t. The marvel of mother nature is that she does most of the harmonising work for you!