While we're still experiencing long, hot days and an abundance of blooms in the garden, autumn is closer than it feels.
With September less than a month away, late August is the perfect time to carry out a few end-of-season jobs before autumn arrives.
"As the long, warm days of summer gradually give way to the crisp, cool embrace of autumn, it's time for gardeners to prepare their outdoor spaces for the seasonal shift," Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys, explains.
"Transitioning your garden from summer to autumn involves a few strategic steps to ensure your garden remains vibrant and healthy."
A caveat is that these tasks are best pencilled in for the end of the month. After weeks of hot weather, particularly in the south of England, giving your garden a little more time before carrying them out will avoid placing plants under extra stress.
"If you’re in the south or south-east right now, and under drought, no gardening at all is the best gardening," expert gardener and sustainability advocate Claire Smith explains.
"At the moment, it's light deadheading and watering with watering cans when needed only. Anything else is going to cause stress to the plants."
As we move towards September, these are the nine things to do in the garden to ensure a smooth transition into the new season and healthy blooms come spring.
1. Protect delicate plants
Perhaps the most obvious point on our checklist is to determine which plants need extra support when the harsher weather hits and put strategies in place.
"Cover sensitive plants with burlap or frost cloth to shield them from harsh winter conditions," Luke explains. "You can also move potted plants to a sheltered location, such as a greenhouse or inside your home, to protect them from frost damage."
2. Prepare your garden beds
Give your garden beds a refresh to help protect them from pests and diseases. "Begin by removing spent summer annuals and clearing out any debris," Luke suggests. "This clean-up will prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden."
Luke also recommends applying a fresh layer of mulch to garden beds. "Mulch helps retain soil moisture," he explains. "It also suppresses weeds and regulates soil temperature, providing a protective layer as temperatures drop."
3. Harvest early apples and other fruits
This year's exceptionally warm weather has seen fruits ripen earlier, pushing forward harvest timelines. The Woodland Trust recorded blackberries ripening as early as June, and it's expected that some varieties of plums and apples will follow suit.
"Harvesting apples and other fruit, all of which is early and picking vegetables as they ripen" is another job for the late-summer to-do list, Claire explains.
4. Plan next year's blooms
The end of summer is a good time to take stock and work out what's gone well this summer, noticing which plants have adapted to the heat – and which may need some extra care next year.
"Now is a good time to think about changes to planting schemes for next year, taking account of what’s done well in the hot summer conditions," Claire tells us. "You can also plan and label any stems for cuttings once the weather breaks, but don’t take them just yet.
"It's also a good time to pre-order spring bulbs – especially if you have favourites. Make sure they don’t deliver until September at the earliest, though."
5. Consider some autumn blooms and veggies
You may also want to introduce some new plants and cool-season vegetables into your garden to celebrate the new season.
"Introduce autumn-blooming flowers, such as chrysanthemums and asters, to add a pop of colour to your garden," Luke suggests. "Consider planting cool-season vegetables like kale and spinach for a fresh harvest."
6. Give your lawn some TLC
It's safe to say that UK lawns have seen far better days. The long hot and dry summer has left them particularly brown and crispy.
While the hosepipe ban in many areas of the UK means you can't water the grass just yet, there are a few other things you can do to support your grass in its time of need.
"Keep your lawn in top shape by raking up fallen leaves ," Luke explains.
Then, once the cooler weather arrives, let dormant brown grass recover naturally with gentle, deep watering.
7. Prep garden furniture before packing away for the winter
In a few months, we'll likely be packing away garden furniture to prepare for the winter season, but there's an essential job to do before you load up the shed or garage.
"Before storing your outdoor furniture, clean it thoroughly with a mild detergent and water," advises Luke. "Ensure it's completely dry to prevent mould and mildew during storage."
8. Prepare garden tools
"Clean and sharpen your garden tools before storing them for the winter," Luke suggests.
"Removing dirt and rust, and applying a light coat of oil, will prevent corrosion and ensure they're ready for use when spring arrives. Proper maintenance will prolong the life of your tools and improve their efficiency."
9. Invest in some new decorations and pieces
Now for the fun parts. "Celebrate the season by adding autumn-themed decorations like pumpkins, acorns and pinecones to your garden," Luke explains.
"Enhance the cosy, welcoming atmosphere with warm fairy lights draped around trees or fences.
"Add autumn-themed cushions to your outdoor seating for extra comfort, and place candles or lanterns around the space to create a soft, inviting glow. These additions will make your garden a perfect spot to enjoy the crisp autumn evenings."
Summer gardening edit
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