Gardening - The Garden in Autumn

• There will be winter flowering violas and pansies in the Garden Centres now.  Pot them up in hanging baskets and containers for a winter-long display.  Keep them fed and watered.

• Also look our for end-of-season bargain perennials.  They may not be in flower but they can be bought, split and planted out for next year.

• Plant spring bulbs in September at a depth equal to at 4 times their height to ensure flowering, and also consider planting them in layers in containers.  Tulips can wait until November.

• Bring herbs indoors or into a cold greenhouse to ensure a winter supply.  Mint can be propagated by tearing off roots and planting them in pots to ensure fresh new plants for next year.

• Keep trimming lawns and keep weeds down.

• In very wet weather, check containers to make sure they don't get waterlogged.