Plant tulips, daffodils, crocuses and alliums now for a colourful display next spring. Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil.

Spread a 5–7cm layer of compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure over moist soil. Keep mulch clear of plant crowns and stems.

Gather leaves from lawns, paths and patios. Add them to a leaf mould pile or bin to create a valuable soil conditioner for future use.

Autumn soil is often warm and moist, making it a good time to establish hardy trees, shrubs and hedging. Bare-root plants generally become available later in autumn, once dormant.

Sow suitable hardy annuals, such as cornflowers, poppies and calendula, for earlier flowering next year. Use free-draining soil and protect young seedlings from severe weather.

Lift the last of your potatoes before frost damages them, harvest pumpkins and squash, and pick late crops. Leave parsnips in the ground if conditions allow, as frost can improve their flavour.

Move tender pots into a greenhouse or sheltered spot before the first frost. Wrap vulnerable containers and prepare fleece for plants that need extra winter protection.

Divide overcrowded, spring- and summer-flowering perennials while the soil is still workable. Replant healthy sections to rejuvenate plants and create more for your borders.

Wash greenhouse glass to maximise winter light, remove dead plant material and clean tools before storing them. Check pots and seed trays are ready for winter sowing and spring propagation.

Remove fallen leaves regularly, make the final cuts with a higher mower setting as growth slows, and improve drainage in compacted areas. Avoid walking on waterlogged or frosty grass.