Shorter days and cooler weather mean lawns need cutting less regularly than in the summer. In most cases, once a fortnight should suffice. When doing this, raise the cutting blades a little higher than normal and trim the lawn edges, if necessary. Sweep up any leaves that have fallen on the grass, as these can block out the light and mark the lawn.

Broad beans such as ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ should be sown outside in the next couple of weeks for an early crop next season. Choose a sheltered, sunny spot with welldrained soil and sow the seeds in a shallow trench 8in wide and 2in deep. For the best results, stagger them 6in-8in apart. After covering them with soil, place a cloche over the bed to protect the seeds and young plants from adverse winter weather and hungry rodents.

Cut down decaying marginal pond plants and leave them at the side of the water for a day or so, as this allows trapped aquatic life to return to the pond. Once you have placed the spent material on the compost heap, stretch a sheet of netting over the pond surface to stop autumn leaves and other debris falling into the water. Otherwise, they may cause pollution, to the detriment of fish and other wildlife.

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