• Autumn leaves are already starting to fall, cluttering the lawns and paths, covering the garden features and clogging ponds. Rake the lawn and sweep the paths regularly this time of year, turn leaves into a leaf compost. Leaf compost is a great source of fibre for the earth, helping the soil to retain moisture and improve drainage.

• Leaf Collection and Compost, gather the leaves that accumulate on top of small plants by hand to prevent damage, try to do this as often as possible over the next weeks so plants aren't killed by fungal disease or lack of light. Rake or Sweep the leaves together from the lawns, paths and paved areas etc. if there's just a small quantity of leaves  simply be throw them on the compost heap. A larger quantity of leaves (over one wheel barrow) can be turned into pure leaf mould compost. Simply pack the damp leaves into large perforated bin liners, if they are dry upon collection dampen them with the hose first. Tie the bags and perforate the plastic with a fork a few times to let in a little air. Stack the bags out the way (leave for 1 year) while they decompose. Or for a more organised system, hammer 4 wooden poles 1mtr long into the ground to form a square,  90cm in each direction. Tack wire netting around the 4 sides. Tip the collected leaves in to the cage, dampen thoroughly, press them down and cover the top of them with a thin layer of soil to prevent the wind scattering them out. In the coming year the leaf compost can be used to enrich the soil in flower beds the orchard or the vegetable garden.

• One step ahead. September to mid November is the best time of the year to plant or re position young trees, shrubs, roses and perennial plants. The Autumn rains will keep them well watered, and in the spring the newly moved plants will be already rooted and established for the coming year.

• Design and introduce new flower beds and borders or makeover the existing ones that were forgotten about. 

• Finished Flowers. Don't rush to cut down finished flowers and seed heads. Finished flowers and seed heads may make the garden look untidy but they provide a wealth of food and life saving hiding places for insects and spiders. Leave them for some weeks and cut them back in November.

• Prune the roses (climbers & ramblers only), other types of roses including shrub roses, bush roses and ground cover roses should be pruned in spring. Once pruning has been completed mulch the plants generously applying a thick layer of well-rotted manure and bark chipping around the base of the plants.

• Spring flowing bulbs. Garden centres and DIY stores are well stocked with a variety of spring flowing bulbs right now.  Daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses are best planted before the end of September when the soil is still warm. If you want to plant tulips, these should be planted during October and November.Plant them in borders and containers before the cold winter weather sets in. Plant each bulb 3 times their depth.

• Inspect trellis, arches and other garden features to make sure they're secure. Otherwise the  autumn and winter gales could bring the whole lot down. A quick fix now is better than a full repair after a storm. Insulate outdoor terracotta and ceramic containers with bubblewrap.

• Mediterrean and tropical indoor plants that spent the summer outdoors should be taken inside now before the first frosts and any warm temperature loving plants left outside should be insulated with bubblewrap or straw (including the plants container).

• Autumn service and maintenance. Clean out the greenhouse, shed, garage, small garden buildings and storage areas. Service the lawnmower and other garden equipment checking the blade sharpness, oil and springs. Clean out and wash nest boxes and bird feeders.

Click the link below

for the step by step guide for

installing, filling and maintaining a garden pond