JOBS AHEAD
Roses can be prone to blackspot and other fungal infections at this time. Be vigilant of this, and pinch off any affected leaves quickly to avoid the spread of disease.
Dig out any weeds on your lawn before they become established and therefore more difficult to remove later.
Water evergreen shrubs like camellias and rhododendrons well to ensure they develop strong buds for next year’s display.
Be on the lookout for an increase in slugs and snails in your garden, particularly towards the end of summer when rainfall becomes more frequent.
Towards the end of September, swap out summer bedding plants for ones that will maintain interest into the autumn months. Popular choices include heather and Cyclamen coum.
Continue to deadhead flowers to encourage continuous growth, and consider using a tomato feed on flowering plants every 10-14 days for healthy, vibrant blooms.
Trim lavender lightly once it has finished flowering to keep the growth compact and rounded for next year and avoid leggy stems.
If you have perennials in the flower beds, such as hardy geraniums and lupins, you can dig up clumps and replant them, giving you extra plants that will continue to bloom year after year.
There is still time to sow hardy salad leaves such as rocket and cress, which will allow you to continue harvesting well into the winter months.
Watch out for late blight on potato plants, which can spread very quickly in wet or humid conditions. If you notice dark blotches or shrivelling on the leaves of your plants, cut the stems down to ground level as soon as possible to avoid losing your crops entirely.
If you have been growing herbs in the garden, such as basil or chives, bring them indoors as temperatures start to fall and continue to grow them in pots on your windowsill.
If you have apple or pear trees, it is best to pick as much fruit as possible now before they are at risk of being blown down by wind during autumn months.
Consider using netting or fleece to protect any tender fruits, such as blackberries and raspberries, from hungry birds and insects.
If you have squash or pumpkin crops, cut away any leaves that may be covering them, as exposing the plants to sunlight will help to ripen the skin more effectively.
As temperatures start to dip towards the end of summer, be mindful of closing any shutters or vents on cooler nights to maintain heat within the greenhouse.
Continue to look for any disease on your greenhouse plants, and treat as quickly as possible. Common pests at this time of year can include whitefly, vine weevil, and spider mites.