LANDSCAPING : The crisp autumn air carries the faint scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Take advantage of this flower-focused day to plant spring-flowering bulbs in borders and containers – try unusual varieties like Fritillaria meleagris, Camassia or Allium sphaerocephalon for striking displays. / Prune summer-flowering climbers like clematis (Group 3) and late-flowering jasmine, cutting back to 30cm from ground level to encourage vigorous growth next year. / Collect seed heads from foxgloves, lupins and hollyhocks, storing them in paper envelopes in a cool, dry place.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Soil still retains summer’s warmth beneath your fingertips. Sow hardy annual flowers like Nigella, Ammi majus and Cerinthe major for early blooms and pollinator support next season. / Plant out biennials such as sweet william, wallflowers and Canterbury bells with 20cm spacing for strong establishment before winter. / Harvest any remaining edible flowers – calendula petals, nasturtiums, and borage – for adding color to autumn salads and desserts. / For Mediterranean gardens, sow California poppies and Limnanthes (poached egg plant) directly where they’ll flower for drought-tolerant beauty.
INDOORS : Houseplants sense the changing season through shortening daylight hours. Move flowering houseplants like African violets, streptocarpus and peace lilies to brighter windowsills as autumn light diminishes. / Reduce watering frequency for flowering cacti and prepare them for their winter rest period. / Start paperwhite narcissus in shallow bowls with pebbles and water for natural indoor fragrance by Christmas.