First on the list is tidying borders and removing anything that's clearly finished: annuals that have gone over, diseased foliage and weeds that will happily set seed if left. 

You might find your perennials have collapsed, cut these back too.

Don’t remove everything though, plants such as sedum, echinacea and ornamental grasses look great with frost on their seed heads, and they'll provide food and shelter for birds and insects through the winter.

Hydrangeas are a good example, leave the old flower heads on to protect next year's buds, for more info, refer to our full hydrangea care guide.

Summer can be tough on our lawns, especially with the more frequent heatwaves we’re experiencing in the UK now. As a result, taking care of your lawn is one of the most worthwhile jobs you’ll want to carry out.

Your autumn lawn care should begin with raking out dead grass and moss, known as scarifying. Next, you’ll want to spike the surface with a garden fork to relieve compaction and improve drainage. With those two small jobs done, apply an autumn lawn feed, this will strengthen the roots rather than pushing soft, leafy growth that won't survive the cold.

Overseed any bare or thin patches, keep mowing as needed, but don’t go too low.

Knowing when to plant spring bulbs is key to have them flowering in time. 

For daffodils, crocuses and alliums, September through to November is the ideal time, whilst tulips are best left until late October or November when the soil has cooled a little.

The amount of space you have will determine what the best bulbs to plant in autumn are, but as a rule, plant them at roughly three times their own depth in free-draining soil, pointed end up, and in generous groups rather than single dots. Containers work well too, especially if you layer different varieties at different depths for weeks of successive flowering.

This job should take no longer than an afternoon and come February you’ll be rewarded with those all important first shoots as they start to push through, making everything worth it.

With all this prep for next year, you might also be thinking of what to plant in autumn for colour right now. The good news is there are some lovely options.

Autumn flowering bulbs such as nerines, autumn crocus and cyclamen hederifolium will brighten up borders and pots whilst everything else is fading. Nerines in particular love a sunny, sheltered spot at the base of a warm wall.

This is also a great time for autumn planting of hardy shrubs, trees, roses and perennials. The warm soil and reliable rainfall help them establish strong root systems before winter, as a result they’ll be far more resilient next year with far less watering than a spring-planted equivalent.

You’ll want to rake fallen leaves regularly or risk moss growth on the grass. You don’t need to dispose of them either as you can turn them into leaf mould.

To do this, simply pile damp leaves into a wire cage or black bin bags with a few holes punched in the sides, and leave them somewhere out of the way. In a year or so you'll have a crumbly, dark soil conditioner that's perfect for mulching borders or mixing into potting compost. It costs nothing and it's one of the best things you can do for your soil.

Once you’ve tidied your flower beds and your new autumn bulbs are in, spread a 5–8cm layer of mulch over the surface. Well-rotted manure, garden compost, bark chippings or last year's leaf mould all work well.

This mulch will insulate roots against frost, locks in moisture, suppresses weeds and feeds the soil as the worms gradually work it in. Just keep it clear of plant stems and the crowns of perennials to avoid rot.

A lot of plants won't be able to cope with the cold, pelargoniums, fuchsias, dahlias and cannas will all need lifting or moving under cover, while pots of citrus, olives and other Mediterranean plants are best brought into a greenhouse, porch or sheltered corner.

For borderline-hardy plants that have to stay put, have some horticultural fleece ready to protect plants from frost on cold nights. A thick mulch over the crowns of tender perennials also goes a long way.

Summer bedding in containers can be composted once it's over, and the pots refreshed with spring bulbs, winter pansies, violas or evergreen foliage such as heuchera and skimmia.

Check that every pot has clear drainage holes and raise them on feet or bricks so they don't sit in water over winter. Terracotta pots in particular can crack when waterlogged compost freezes. If you want pots that look after themselves, our low maintenance container flowers guide has more ideas.

Last but not least, give your tools a good clean and a wipe down with some oil before storing them away. Be sure to clean out pots and trays so they're ready for spring sowing too. Check fences, trellis and sheds for any weak spots before autumn winds arrive, and clear gutters and water butts so they can make the most of the coming rain.

Autumn gardening is really about setting your garden up to look after itself. 

Feed the lawn, get your bulbs in, protect what needs protecting and let nature do the rest.

Tick off this checklist and you'll get both a garden that stays healthy through the cold months, and one that bursts into colour the moment spring returns.