Make light work of your autumn leaf collection by investing in a vacuum for the garden. Both electric and petrol models are available to suit gardens of any size. Many have an internal shredder blade fitted that chops up the leaves as they pass into the collecting bag. This helps to speed up decomposition into friable leaf-mould. Most models also feature a blower facility, which will allow you to blow leaves out from among plants into heaps for easier collection.

Cover areas of bare soil with green manure crops, especially in the kitchen garden. Field beans can be sown some time in October and winter rye well into November. Both these green manures can be dug into the soil in spring, helping to improve its structure and increase its organic content. They are equally valuable in breaking down clay soils and adding heart to sandy ones.

Many ornamental and fruit trees have a nasty habit of producing copious suckers from their roots and stem bases. The reason is that they have been grafted on to the roots of other varieties and the suckers are shoots from these rootstocks that are making a takeover bid. Simply prune them neatly away with secateurs or a sharp knife as soon as you notice them.

Watch out for frost, which can bring a sudden end to fading summer displays. Bring tender plants and crops under cover or, if time runs short, keeping a few sheets of fleece handy to throw over plants or containers can give some temporary protection.

Saving seed not only spares you expense, but can produce novel results. Try leaving the last of the sweet peas on their plants to set seed and develop pods. Once ripe, they can be picked and the seed removed, cleaned and stored. Alternatively, sow sweet peas now for early blooms. Seed can also be saved from crops such as peas and runner beans.

Spike lawns using a hollow-tined aerator and brush grit into the holes to improve drainage.

Houseplants should be watered less frequently as temperatures drop.

Order a selection of bare-root rose bushes for planting in the autumn.

Fill any gaps in your borders with shrubs and perennials appropriate for the season.

Send off for a variety of seed catalogues.