• Start planning for a stunning display of bulbs in spring with mass plantings of daffodils, dutch iris, hyacinth, lachenalia, ixia, muscari and ranunculi.
• Refresh geraniums and pelargoniums that have bloomed their hearts out over summer and autumn by trimming away ragged or unhealthy-looking foliage.
• Increase your stocks of bearded iris by lifting and dividing them. Replant in a sunny spot and water regularly.
• Give your citrus trees a little late summer attention. Feed them now with a plant food that’s specially formulated for citrus – these formulas contain the full range of trace elements your plants need. Water well before and after application, spreading the fertiliser around the dripline area (the zone beneath the outer branches). Check for pests, too – spray bronze orange bugs with an insecticide such as Confidor, and treat aphids and scale insects with a horticultural oil.