As summer draws to a close and the first signs of autumn appear, gardens continue to provide plenty of colour and harvests. This is a crucial time to prepare for the coming months, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant and healthy into the next season. Here are some key tasks to focus on in September and October.

Harvest the Last of the Summer Fruits

Late summer is a wonderful time for fruit harvesting, with raspberries in particular reaching peak abundance. These juicy berries can be enjoyed fresh, but why not turn them into a simple coulis to drizzle over desserts? Alternatively, mix them into a delicious Eton Mess for the perfect seasonal treat. If you have an abundant crop, raspberries also freeze well for use later in the year.

Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for next year’s display by planting spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. By carefully choosing your colours and varieties, you can refresh your garden’s look and create a stunning floral show for the following year. These bulbs thrive when planted in well-drained soil before the first frost sets in.

Give Your Lawn Some Care

After a summer of heavy use, lawns can often look a little tired. Now is the time to give your grass some much-needed care to ensure it thrives next year. Scarifying to remove moss and thatch, aerating to improve drainage, and applying an autumn feed will all help your lawn stay healthy through the colder months and return lush and green in the spring.

Tidy Up Greenhouses and Cold Frames

With autumn on the horizon, now is the ideal time to tidy up your greenhouse or cold frame. Clear out any remaining summer plants, wash down surfaces to remove pests and diseases, and prepare the space for overwintering tender plants or starting autumn sowings. A clean and organised greenhouse will make gardening in the colder months much more efficient and enjoyable.

Need Help Maintaining Your Garden?

Late summer is a time of transition in the garden, and if you need assistance with planting, lawn care, or general maintenance, the team at Gardens of England is here to help. Whether you’re planning ahead for spring or need help tidying up for autumn, we’d love to discuss how we can support you. Get in touch with us today to keep your garden in top condition all year round.

Method

Pop everything into a small blender, give it a whizz.

Strain through a sieve, push through the liquid with a spatula, discard the seeds left in the sieve.

Serving suggestion

Serve over ice cream, swirl into vanilla cheesecake or mix into natural yoghurt