Pick nuts (hazelnuts, cobnuts and filberts) when the husks begin to yellow, but before they start to drop from the tree.
Harvest apples and pears for eating or storing. Only store unblemished fruit to prevent it rotting in storage.
Pick blackberries, hybrid berries and autumn raspberries.
Provide winter protection for wall-trained outdoor figs to help successfully overwinter the embryonic green figs that will form next year's crop. Cover the plant with plastic netting and fill between the plant and the netting with a loose layer of straw, bracken or other open material. This covering should remain on until danger of frosts is past.
Cut down the fruited canes of blackberries and hybrid berries and tie in new ones.
Lift and divide old crowns of rhubarb.
Take hardwood cuttings of currants, gooseberries, figs and grape vines after leaf fall; only use virus-free plants.
Order fruit trees and bushes from mail order catalogues and nurseries, and prepare the ground well before planting.
New trees can be planted as soon as the autumn weather sets in. The soil will still be quite warm in early October, even if the weather is cool, and the roots of new plants will benefit from this. This is particularly important for peaches and nectarines. Other fruit trees may have a higher tolerance of cold at the roots, and can be planted later in the dormant season.
Keep an eye on any newly planted strawberry beds, watering them if necessary - using stored rainwater wherever possible.
Before the end of October, plant bulbs for next year except for tulips, which if planted in November have less risk of developing virus. The damp atmosphere provides ideal conditions to carry out all lawn work, either creating new lawns or repairing, aerating and scarifying existing ones.
Grasses are wonderful this time of year and add structure to any garden, whilst for a splash of colour, Autumn bulbs shine like jewels.
Add to these the colourful tones of yellow, red and orange of autumn leaves before they drop, and enjoy the cooler days with the sunshine slanting through the trees before it really gets cold and wet!
