Chris Bonnett

Gardeners are advised to complete eight simple tasks before the end of August: harvest ripe fruit and vegetables, deadhead faded flowers, water plants deeply during cooler parts of the day, remove weeds, apply mulch, sow hardy annuals, collect seeds and take cuttings, and plant autumn-flowering bulbs. These jobs help retain moisture, strengthen root systems, protect plants during hot weather and prepare the garden for autumn and the following year.

Advice for maintaining a healthy lawn during summer heatwaves includes watering deeply during cooler times of day, regularly moving garden equipment to prevent yellow patches and fungal issues, mowing with higher blade settings, removing weeds and edging borders to support stronger grass growth and a tidy appearance.