As soon as harvesting is over, prepare the veg patch for winter. Pull up the remains of summer crops, chop up and add to the compost heap – if you grow beans or peas, cut off stems at the base and leave the nitrogen-absorbing roots in the ground to release nutrients into the soil as they rot down. Once beds are clear of plants, dismantle bamboo cane support structures. Give canes a wipe to remove soil and then stash in a dry place. Tug up weeds and then cover large, bare patches of soil with landscape fabric to prevent weed seeds germinating.

Ensure spring arrives with a bang by planting bulbs now. Daffodils, grape hyacinths, alliums, crocus, dwarf irises and several other types are ideal for setting in beds, borders and containers. Another option is to use them to brighten up lawns – daffodil ‘February Gold’, crocus ‘Barr’s Purple’ and snake’s head fritillary are perfect in grass. Wait until November to plant tulips. Their bulbs don’t form roots until the weather turns colder, and they are vulnerable to tulip fire, a fungal disease that’s more prevalent in early autumn. As a rule, bulbs need planting at a depth between two or three times their length. A hand-held bulb planter makes light work of the job, although a trowel will do.

Many gardeners create displays that shine in late spring and early summer, forgetting to add plants that flower later in the growing season. If this sounds familiar, add seasonal perennials. There are plenty up to the job, such as rudbeckias, dahlias, salvias and Japanese anemones, along with ornamental grasses and exotics, like hardy ginger lilies. Size is everything when it comes to instant impact, so select good-sized plants that are in bud to guarantee flowers this year.

Containers filled with summer-flowering bedding plants have the potential to last until the first frosts, but they’ll come to an end prematurely if you don’t give them attention. Continue to water pots, planters, window boxes and hanging baskets regularly and feed weekly, using a high-potash fertiliser. Lightly trim straggly stems of trailing species, and unless plants naturally drop their fading flowers, pinch off past-their-best blooms every couple of days to ensure plants don’t waste energy producing seeds. Once containers finally give up the ghost, decant the contents and replace with seasonal plants that will flower from autumn into winter.

Perk up lawns that look a little weary. Use a spring-tined rake to remove thatch, a layer of dead plant material that forms above the surface of the soil and hinders growth. Due to heavy use, certain parts of the lawn are likely to be compacted. Improve drainage by plunging a fork into the ground and wiggling it about. Repeat every 10cm across the problem area and then brush ready-made top dressing (a mixture of loam and sand) into the holes. Finish by applying an autumn lawn fertiliser to encourage strong roots and healthy blades.

Cooler nights and the threat of early frosts in some parts of the country make it important to harvest summer crops. Don’t worry, you don’t need to eat everything immediately, as some edibles can be stored for eating later. Pick green tomatoes, wrap in tissue paper and place in a shallow tray with stalks upright. Place in a garage, shed or porch and they’ll turn red within four weeks. Harvest herbs before they deteriorate. Snip off shoots of bay, lovage, oregano, rosemary and sage, dip in water to clean and hang upside down to dry. Strip leaves from stems and store in glass jars. Basil, chives, mint and parsley are ideal for freezing – cut leaves into small pieces, pack into ice-cube trays and fill with water, then freeze.

The coming and going of shoe-clad feet (and paws) over summer can leave hard surfaces looking grimy. Ensure patios, paths and decks look fresh by giving them a thorough clean with a pressure washer. With reduced foot traffic, now is also a good time to treat decks with preservative, paint or oil, extending their life and ensuring they can cope with colder, wetter weather.

Most beds and borders will be past their peak, but it’s possible to keep them going a little longer. Relieve congestion by chopping back worn-out clumps of early flowering perennials – cut back stems close to the ground and a flush of zingy green growth will soon appear. Don’t get too carried away. Leave heleniums, echinaceas, rudbeckias and other perennials with attractive seed heads to add winter interest. Dahlias, helianthus and other tall, late-flowering specimens will flop abruptly unless you put supports in place back in spring. If you didn’t, stake with canes. Once you’ve restored order, evict weeds, water and cover the surface with composted bark or garden compost for a fresh look.