Time to prepare

According to advice from the Royal Horticultural Society, you should plant wallflowers, forget-me-not, bellis, primula, viola (including winter pansies) and other spring bedding plants in prepared ground or pots.

Now is also good time to plant new herbaceous perennials, as the soil is still warm, but moister than it was during the summer. Lily bulbs can be planted up in pots this month.

Cut back faded herbaceous perennials and add to compost heap. Lift and divide poor flowering or overcrowded herbaceous plants.

Wait for first frosts to hit dahlias and cannas before lifting the tubers or rhizomes.

They may overwinter in the ground in warmer regions if covered with a protective layer of straw or bracken, but flowering may be late and/or poor next year.

Lift tender bulbs if you live in a cold area. Galtonia and Tigridia bulbs, for example, need lifting and storing over the winter.

Any remaining summer bedding plants struggling on in milder areas are best cleared and replaced, for a fresher display.

Don’t neglect hanging basket maintenance – a little deadheading, watering and feeding can keep them going until mid-autumn.

Once they are past their best, re-plant with spring-flowering bulbs, winter heathers, trailing ivies and spring bedding plants.

Raise patio containers on to bricks or purpose-made pot feet to avoid them sitting in water during the winter.

Move alpine troughs to a covered porch or lean-to to protect them from the rain.

Pick over alpines regularly, removing any autumn debris and covering died-back patches with extra grit to encourage their re-growth.

Make sure you have finished bringing all tender plants into the heated greenhouse or conservatory for the winter.

Remove stakes and other supports as herbaceous plants die down for the winter.

Check any bulbs being forced in darkness. If they show signs of top growth, and have a healthy root system when knocked out of the bowl, bring them into a cool, light room to induce flowering.