Gardener shares 11 jobs to do in October including when to give your lawn 'the final cut'

We can safely say that this year we experienced a real summer with consistent sunny days and blue skies but now it's time to give our gardens some love ahead of the cold. A lot of people assume that as the temperatures drop, there's not much that needs to be done outside, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

In fact, gardeners who put extra time and effort into their outdoor spaces now will find their gardens will thrive as spring comes around. Putting in the work now allows you to enjoy a tidy garden throughout winter and reap the benefits later. There are some obvious jobs you'll want to do such as wiping down garden furniture and storing it away.

But there are also some jobs you may not have even considered need doing.

Take weeds for example, most people think weeding is a job for the spring and while that is somewhat true, it can also be very beneficial to do it in the autumn.

The ground is usually moist at this time of year which makes pulling the weeds out much easier. Removing them now also prevents them from settling under the soil over winter and sprouting out with a vengeance in the spring.

Those who have a vegetable patch should give it a tidy by taking down any supports to keep the garden looking neat. If you want to plan ahead, the stems from any vegetables you've harvested can actually be reused in compost heaps, just make sure you've cut them up small enough. This will help improve your soil health and structure next growing season.

None of these jobs are too time consuming but they'll certainly pay off. If you aim to do one of these a week, your garden will be in great shape by the end of autumn.

GardeningExpress tips for tidying the garden this autumn:

1. Take stock of the garden

Now is a great time to step back and reflect on how your garden performed over the last year. Consider what plants, flowers or veg worked well in your garden. Were there any in particular that thrived or did some require more effort than they were worth? Taking these things into consideration will help you plan for the following growing season.

2. Clear fallen leaves

Take a rake and clear any fallen leaves or debris on the lawn, footpaths and borders to prevent them from causing fungal diseases. Leaves left on the lawn can also block light and trap moisture, leading to dead patches of grass.

3. Give the lawn a final cut

You'll want to give your lawn its final cut around late October or early November. If you're unsure on when this needs to be done, wait until the temperatures are consistently low and between 5-10ºC.

4. Pull out weeds

Although this may typically feel like a spring job, autumn is a great time to pull out weeds as well. The ground is often moist which makes pulling them out easier and removing them now prevents them from hiding under soil and sprouting next season.

5. Leave one area untidy for wildlife

It's important to look out for wildlife during the colder months who will be seeking food and shelter. Consider leaving one small area of your garden untidy with leaves, logs and twigs to create shelter for animals such as hedgehogs and nesting birds.

6. Tidy the vegetable patch

Take down any supports that you may have had for climbing plants to give the area a cleaner look. You can use the stems of the veg you have harvested in compost heaps, just make sure they have been cut up into small pieces.

7. Trim shrubs and bushes

Give any overgrown shrubs or bushes a trim to keep them looking neat and tidy during autumn. Giving them a tidy and removing dead branches will help keep bushes healthy and prevent them from getting damaged in stormy weather.

8. Cut back perennials

Remove dead foliage from plants that have finished for the summer to keep borders looking neat and tidy. This will also reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

9. Clean pots and containers

Empty old summer plants that have stopped growing and give pots and containers a good clean. You can either store these away until the spring or refill them with winter plants such as pansies and violas.

10. Clean tools

Give your garden tools a thorough clean with warm soapy water and dry them well before storing them away. This will ensure they stay in good condition over the autumn and winter.

11. Protect garden furniture

Wipe down any garden furniture including tables, chairs and loungers and cover them up before storing them away in the shed or garage to protect them from any harsh winter weather.