The season of mellow mists and fruitfulness is a good time to take stock of your garden and plant spring bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils and/or new perennials for the future. The soil is still warm, moisture levels are increasing, and there’s still time for plants to become established before winter frosts bite – all equally good reasons for waiting until now to also plant shrubs and trees or move them to a different location.

Planning and planting aside, the biggest garden chore at this time of year is tidying up. Think of it as an alternative gym workout while you rake (and rake and rake…) fallen leaves and other plant debris from the lawn. Be as heavy-handed as you like when you rake/scarify as aeration is good for grass – and although lawn care arguably tops the list of ‘most boring garden chores’, now is the ideal time to top dress the lawn by spreading a mix of loam and sand and brushing it in. Begin to mow less frequently as growth slows and feed the lawn with a good quality high-potassium fertiliser. If possible, avoid using weed-killers. It’s fine to dig out dandelions and plantains and repair any bare patches left behind with grass seed, but to permanently knock out every type of lawn invader when some, like clover, are quite pretty, can call for some seriously heavy-duty chemicals – and there’s still no guarantee of success.

Tidying up also involves cutting back flowering perennials (plants that spring up year after year from their roots) and digging up annuals, which can go on the compost heap along with other garden debris, leaves and cuttings. Give the compost a turnover and all the lovely new material will rot and break down over the winter to produce a wonderful supply of nutrient rich compost for use next year.

If you have a garden pond or water feature it’s a good idea to cover it with a net to prevent falling leaves polluting the water. Also take stock of wood and metal decorations and accessories, such as garden furniture, gates, pergolas, shed, benches etc. This is a good time of year to clean and cover up or store seasonal furniture, treat exposed wood with preservative or renew a paint finish. Shabby chic is not a good look, especially for railings and entrances as the state of the gate is the first impression a visitor gets of your home. Hammerite’s metal paint has a unique formula that will decorate and protect metal from the elements all from one tin, with no need for primer and undercoat – and even cover rust spots (available in a range of colours, £24.95/750ml tin). For awkward or intricate designs - or simply an easier alternative to painting with a brush, Hammerite Metalmaster is a battery-powered spray that uses electrostatic energy to attract paint particles to metal (for more details visit www.hammerite.co.uk).

Finally, at this time of year spare a thought for wildlife by putting up bird feeders. Attracting wildlife to your garden is beneficial in many ways – as natural pest-controllers, the birds and insects do all the hard work for you while helping protect the environment by reducing the need for chemicals.