Autumn is better than summer in the garden. Honestly.

Autumn is officially here. Regardless of what the weather is doing, those dark evenings and damp mornings tell a story that cannot be denied.

But I’m here with some great news. Autumn is the best time of year for gardening. It’s the ideal time to plant, because the soil is still warm and the sun is mild. Anything you put in the ground now should root strongly, then will grow away with gusto in the spring. It’s the right time to repair your lawn, because grass loves the regular rain that (normally) comes with autumn. And of course, it’s the right time to plant bulbs.

Plants that look good in autumn tend to look good in spring and summer too. They’re still at their prime whilst working towards flowering, and many stand over winter, giving your garden structure and interest. Ornamental grasses, sedums and asters are your friends here.

Hands-off gardeners will be glad to hear that it’s also the right time to do nothing at all. Resist clearing away those faded flowers, dying stems and fallen leaves. They provide shelter, food and homes for birds, insects, hedgehogs, and everything in between. If you want a thriving garden for a nature, and a healthy soil full of life, then leave it alone. If you want a home for nature and a neat garden, then tidy the front of your beds, and pile up any debris at the back, out of sight, where nature can make good use of it.