Click on the following months to learn important insights that will prepare you for any future challenges the season of Fall may bring.

September | October | November/December

Month of September

Flower Gardens

• Plant bulbs including daffodils, narcissi, crocus and snowdrops by the end of the month.
• Delay planting tulips until October or November.

Containers

• Plant autumn bedding plants like cyclamen.
• Plant daffodil and narcissi bulbs, plus early flowering ones such as winter.

Lawns

• Autumn is an excellent time to make new lawns from seed or turf.
• If now established lawn wasn't fed in spring, feed it now with autumn lawn fertilizer.
• Lawns should be mown less frequently now. Raise the height of the blades about 1in.
• Rake out the 'thatch' or dead grass.

General

• Autumn is the best time for planting all hardy plants. The main exception is evergreens that may be susceptible to frost damage and are best planted in spring.
• Moving established plants is best done in autumn. First prepare a plant's new site, then transplant it and keep it well watered.
• Apply systemic weed killers to persistent perennial weeds.
• Rake up fallen leaves at regular intervals, particularly if they are on the lawn or border.
• Plant hardy plants, provided the soil isn't soaking wet.

Month of October

Flower Gardens

• Plant all bulbs by the end of October.
• Conifers, evergreen trees and shrubs can be planted now.
• Tender bulbs and tubers, like dahlias and gladioli, should be lifted and stored before the first hard frost if you want to keep them for next year.

Lawns

• Improve drainage if the lawn stays wet for any length of time after rain.
• Finish seeding or turfing new lawns by the end of the month.

General

• Drain watering systems and equipment and store them under cover for the winter.

Month of November/December

Flower Gardens

• To prevent wind damage, prune by half shrubs like butterfly bush that will be pruned next spring.
• Plant tulips until the end of November.
• Plant winter-loving flowering pansies by the end of November.
• Empty pots that aren't frost-proof and store them over winter. First, give them a good scrub inside and out using hot water.

Lawns

• Watch out for areas of the lawn that may become waterlogged and make a note to improve the drainage next spring.
• Avoid walking on the lawn while the grass is frozen, or you could create some unsightly yellow patches.

General

• Birds appreciate a supply of food and water over winter, but they will eventually come to depend on it, so only start feeding them if you'll be able to do so regularly.
• Borders can be tidied up any time during winter provided the soil isn't wet. Pull up dead annuals, cut back the dead stems or perennials and grasses, pull out weeds, rake up fallen leaves and lightly fork over the bare soil between plants.
• Newly planted conifers and evergreens are susceptible to damage from cold winds and may need protecting with windbreak netting.
• Garden furniture is best stored in the shed or garage for the winter. Protect anything that has to stay outside with plastic covers.
• Hard prune hedges of deciduous plants that have become overgrown. Put up supports for climbing plants while there is less plant growth to contend with.