Four essential gardening jobs to do now in preparation for autumn

With September 22 officially marking the end of summer, time is running out for green-fingered Brits to prep their gardens for the colder months ahead.

The warm, dry weather forecast this weekend offers an ideal window to finish essential garden tasks that will set the stage for a thriving spring bloom.

Leonardo and Domenico Musceo, father and son gardening experts from the local services marketplace Airtasker, have shared four critical jobs to prioritise in your garden this September.

1. Prune lavender and rambling roses

Late summer is the perfect time to prune lavender and rambling roses, ensuring they stay healthy and promote fresh growth.

For lavender, pruning after its flowering season prevents it from becoming leggy and twiggy.

Trim it to maintain a compact shape and remove dead flowers to keep it looking lush throughout autumn.

For rambling roses, prune by cutting back flowered stems by about one-third and remove older, woody stems to encourage air circulation and new growth. These roses bloom on old wood, so this post-flower pruning is essential to prepare them for next year.

2. Inspect your lawn and optimise soil health

If your lawn suffered from the summer heat, now is the time to restore its health before wet weather and cooler temperatures set in.

The Musceos recommend preparing soil for seed sowing or turf laying by late September or early October, taking advantage of the ideal autumn growing conditions.

Start by clearing the area of weeds and debris, then improve soil structure by adding organic matter.

Testing the soil’s pH level is a key step for optimising growth.

Grass thrives in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5, so adjust with lime or wood ash if too acidic, or with organic materials like sulphur if too alkaline.

Even if you're not planting new turf, aerating, top-dressing, and addressing weed or pest issues can prepare your lawn for the autumn and winter months ahead.

3. Plant strawberry runners in new beds

If you’re dreaming of home-grown strawberries next summer, now is the time to plant strawberry runners.

The Musceos stress the importance of giving the runners enough time to establish roots before winter hits.

Strawberries need at least six hours of sunlight per day, so find a sunny spot and prepare the bed by working in compost to enhance soil fertility.

Clear away any weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water, then rake the soil to create an even surface for planting.

4. Lift, divide, and replant perennials

As perennial plants can become congested over time, lifting, dividing, and replanting them after flowering gives each plant more space to thrive.

This task ensures that perennials don’t compete for water, nutrients, and light as they head into winter.

Carefully dig around the clump, lift it out, and divide it into smaller sections, ensuring each has healthy roots and shoots.

Replant at the same depth, water well, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

By completing these tasks before autumn arrives, you’ll ensure your garden is in the best possible condition for the colder months, setting it up for a vibrant and flourishing display come spring.