Summer may still be going strong, but it won’t be long before autumn is upon us - and that means a whole new list of garden projects to tackle.

As things start to slow down in the garden, there’s an opportunity to tick off jobs that you’ve not managed to get around to yet and the opportunity to make plans for next year. There are lots of wonderful plants to enjoy at this time of year too.

These tips will help you get the garden ready for autumn and keep it looking good all season long.

Prep for autumn planting

• Plan your spring garden scheme

Now’s the time to have fun planning next year’s garden. Think about what has worked well this year, what you’d like to change, and any major plant projects that you want to work on.

Spring bulbs are fantastic for filling your garden with colour and scent before most other plants get going, and autumn is the perfect time to plant them. Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, crocus, iris and fritillaries will all provide a show-stopping display from early spring.

• Plant autumn & winter bedding plants

If your garden is looking a little bare, colourful bedding plants that flower in autumn and winter will provide an instant boost. You don’t have to fill the whole garden; try focusing on containers, areas that are visible from indoors, or simply the entrance to your home.

• Sow wildflower seeds

If you like an informal garden style, wildflowers are perfect. As well as looking lovely, wildflowers are a great way to control weeds, and they also provide a rich source of food and shelter for local wildlife. A packet of mixed seeds works well. For a beautiful display next spring, simply rake them into the surface of the soil in autumn and leave them to work their magic over winter.

Clean & Clear

• Tidy up plants

Removing dead leaves and old growth will make plants look smarter, and also help to prevent fungi and pests. Now is also an ideal time to tackle weeds, remove any bedding plants that have finished flowering, and trim back late-flowering shrubs.

• Lawn maintenance

Dry summer months and lots of footfall can leave lawns looking tired in autumn. To get your grass back in shape, remove thatch (dead grass at soil level) with a rake, and aerate the ground by using a garden fork to make holes at regular intervals. You can also make a lawn look instantly neater by trimming the edges.

• Collect seeds

Many plants will have produced seed heads by now, and that means you can collect seeds and grow lots of new plants for free. Harvest seeds on a dry day by snipping the pods or heads from the stem and shaking them out into a paper bag. Don’t forget to label your bags!

• Deal with falling leaves

To avoid slippery paths and lawns deprived of light and air, make sure you clear away leaves regularly. You can use them to make leaf mould, which is a fantastic mulch and soil enricher.

Looking after wildlife

• Feed the birds

The toughest months of the year are approaching for wild birds, so now is a good time to help them out by providing a source of food and water. A bird feeder is a simple way to do this, but leaving some seed heads on your plants will also help.

• Provide shelter

This garden tip doesn’t actually require any effort; all you need to do is leave an area of your borders or lawn intact, rather than cutting them back. Doing this will create much-needed shelter for frogs, toads, small mammals and insects during the colder months.

• Grow wildlife-friendly autumn plants

Many pollinating insects still need a source of food in autumn, so adding some of their autumn flowering favourites to the garden will really help. Good plants for pollinators in autumn include asters, zinnias, sedums, nasturtiums, ivy, thyme and borage.

You can also look after other local wildlife by introducing plants that provide food such as berries or nuts in autumn. Dogwood, cotoneaster, berberis and ivy are all good options.

As you can see, there’s more than enough to keep you busy in the garden right now. I love the combination of planting and planning at this time of year; it all feels really positive and productive. And with nature putting on such a fabulous show in autumn there’s a pretty amazing backdrop to enjoy while you’re working too!

Did you like this blog? We teamed up with blogger 'Growing Family', asking them to give us their top tips to getting your garden ready for autumn. 

Catherine, Author from Growing Family

You can learn more about Growing Family on their website, or read more of their handy guides and tips to keep your garden in great shape all year round! Follow them on Instagram to keep up with their family gardening activities.