LANDSCAPING : Autumn’s floral finale brings unexpected delights. Sow hardy annual wildflowers like cornflowers, poppies and calendula directly into prepared beds now, where they’ll establish strong roots before winter and reward you with earlier blooms next spring. / Plant bare-root roses in well-prepared holes 45cm wide and deep, incorporating a handful of bone meal to encourage strong root development through winter. / Stake tall chrysanthemums with bamboo supports and natural twine to prevent wind damage to their spectacular late blooms. / Divide congested clumps of Japanese anemones with a sharp spade, replanting vigorous outer sections in humus-rich soil.
ORCHARD : The dormancy period approaches, offering prime planting opportunities. Set bare-root fruit bushes like gooseberries and blackcurrants into soil enriched with well-rotted manure, spacing them 1.5m apart to allow for future growth. / Prune summer-fruiting raspberries by removing all canes that bore fruit this year, cutting them right back to ground level while leaving this year’s new green canes to fruit next summer. / Apply a thick mulch of leaf mold around the base of established fruit trees, keeping it 10cm away from trunks to prevent collar rot.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Cool soil temperatures suit flower-producing crops. Sow broad beans 5cm deep and 20cm apart in double rows, choosing varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ that establish well in autumn conditions. / Plant autumn garlic sets 15cm apart, positioning cloves with pointed tips facing upward and covering with 2-3cm of soil. / Protect late-flowering globe artichokes with a thick straw mulch around their crowns, which insulates against frost while allowing air circulation.