Now that summer is well and truly over in the northern hemisphere and autumn is in full swing, here are a few tips for things you can be doing in the garden now all the leaves have fallen, the nights have closed in and the bbq is all packed away.

When clearing away the spent stems of summer bulbs, why not mark their position with a pebble or a short piece of cane?  That way you will know where they are when you start to work on the border next spring.  

As I said, the days are now a lot shorter and the nights have turned colder, which all means there is now a danger of hard frosts that can damage garden taps. Why not use some foam tap covers or put bubble wrap around each tap?  You can then seal them with a plastic bag  for protection. Also, If you have pipes that are exposed to the elements, why not lag them for protection?

Containers intended to stand outside should be brought into the shade and protection of a building, which will mean they are less likely to spall or burst in frost. You should also store your precious pots empty, dry and under cover.

Collect the fallen leaves in perforated bin bags to turn into leaf mould.  You need to make sure they are thoroughly wet when you put them in and soak with a hose if necessary. If they are packed dry, they will never rot properly. 

Always remember you should turn your houseplants on windowsills.  This will help to keep an even growth. Water them less; winter growth is rarely desirable.

It may be cold and it obviously rains more often than not, but try to keep mowing the lawn, but not too short and cut above the moss. Make sure air vents in the grass box are not clogged or the mower will struggle to lift the clippings into the box.

So, that little lot should help to keep you busy now the winter is well and truly on the way.

Happy gardening!

The Gardener