By the time this reaches you I’m sure we will have had a dry spell -
perhaps! The autumn colours may be starting, although after so much wet and fairly warm weather we may not notice them much till the end of the month.

The lawns have never stopped growing this year, but they should be slowing down by now. The days will be getting shorter and the nights cooler, so take in tender plants like pelargoniums to winter in a cool greenhouse or conservatory.

Trim longer shoots from them so that new shoots come from the bottom - or take more cuttings as they will probably take quite well.

Perennial plants will need attention - cut them down and divide them getting rid of any dead stalks. If you have a big herbaceous border it is quicker to cut them down with a brush cutter, which also avoids ones arms getting scratched!

Annuals are about over so dig them up and chop them up and put on the compost heap. Seeds from tagetes and french marigolds are well worth saving for next year, so dry them and put them in labelled envelopes and don't forget
where you put them!

Autumn is the best time for planting trees and shrubs and perennials, as the soil is still warm, and damp weather will encourage root growth. If you buy container plants, make sure you spread the roots out when you plant them, because sometimes the roots have got in a bit of a tangle.

Plant Spring bulbs - there is an astonishing variety to choose from, and you may have some saved from last year.

Pick and take indoors the last of the tomatoes - if there are a lot of green ones make chutney! Lift the last of the carrots and beetroot, and store in sand.

Divide herbs in the herb bed, particularly mint which goes a bit wild, and chives. There will be a lot of weeds to sweep up too.