Settling down

After a glorious few months in the garden, August is all about prolonging the flowering season by constantly deadheading, feeding and watering. Many annuals and perennials can be nursed into extending their season with regular deadheading to prevent them from self-seeding, and cutting back herbs such as parsley, mint and chives will allow you to reap the rewards for al fresco summer suppers. It is also time to mow any wildflower areas and to stake top-heavy dahlias to make the best of their riotous colours and gloriously diverse shapes.

September brings dew laden mornings and mellow afternoons and a feeling of gentleness as the garden begins to slow and settle into autumn. Get out amongst your beds and divide herbaceous perennials to ensure healthy, vigorous plants next year, prune late-flowering shrubs and climbing roses, and spray off any ground elder that might have crept in under the