Bank Holiday in the garden

The weather looks great for the last long weekend of summer. Time to take stock of jobs in the garden ahead of autumn.

Harvest happy

Collect the last of the summer crops and freeze, make jams and preserves or enjoy in a pie.

Pot on

Perennials that look leggy or have exhausted their compost can be re-potted ready to bed down in September. If you’ve got some lying around that haven’t made it into the border yet, pot up and plant out when you have more space.

Bird bath

Birds know where they have a reliable source of water and their constant visits can take a toll on the birdbath. Keep it clean and topped up. Invest in a bigger bath if word has spread and your spot is popular!

Show your buildings some TLC

Make the most of the good weather and protect timber and metal for what’s to come in the coming months. Or maybe it’s time to upgrade garden buildings.

Cut it

Trim plants and flowers past their best and deadhead those that have finished blooming. Remove yellowing leaves too.

Keep the colour coming

Feed fuschias, geraniums and roses as they give much welcome colour during September, especially if the month is mild.

Sow good

Calendula, Larkspur and Nigella can be sown in the soil. Make ready winter salads and veg for next spring. Lawns and meadow sowing is perfect at this time of year. Don’t delay!

Space saving

A small space can provide colour and vegetables all year round. Now’s the time to think about a planter.