What to do this month

I'm planting, clearing and prepping for autumn, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

1 Keep deadheading late-flowering varieties such as dahlias to generate more buds for the coming weeks, and collect ripened seeds for next year.

2 Clear away any annual bedding that has finished and plant this year’s seed-grown hardy perennials – they will do better in the soil than in their pots.

3 Strip down, clean and sharpen bladed tools before the start of the pruning season, and collect and clean plant labels to use again next year.

4 Garden wildlife will be fuelling up for winter so keep birds and mammals supplied with fresh food and water.