Head gardener

It may be September but there’s plenty of life in the garden yet!

Allowing plants to fend for themselves without staking builds resilience and creates relaxed billowing borders in this windswept autumn garden

September is a sweet spot for gardeners. There might not be the frenzied burst of activity you see in spring or the bold drama of midsummer in full bloom, says Martyn Cox , but there’s plenty to do before the colder months come round

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE THIS MONTH WITH OUR GUIDE TO THE CHANGING SEASONS

Mimic their natural behaviour and get them going now to flower in spring

Nurture existing plants and see if you can snaffle some bargains!