There’s nowhere nicer to be at this time of year than in the garden, and a little time and effort now will pay big rewards come summer, writes Helen Young.

Timely tasks

Remove spent annuals such as pansies and replant for summer and autumn colour with petunias, salvias, vinca, cosmos and alyssum. In shadier spots, use torenias and impatiens. Deal with weeds early before they take over and start seeding. A layer of mulch helps keep weeds down and moisture in - and it makes the garden look tidy and loved. New lawns laid now will be established and ready for use by Christmas. Or patch bare areas with a lawn seed and repair mix.

The kitchen garden

In most areas, beans sown in October start bearing well by Christmas. Plant climbing beans against a sunny fence or up a tripod of stakes. If space is limited, the bush-style dwarf French bean 'Bonaparte' is prolific for its size. Sow some beans every few weeks to ensure a continuous supply. October is all about tomatoes - plant a few different varieties to trial performance and taste. Cherry tomatoes are favourites with kids and their tougher skins mean fruit fly is rarely a problem. Don't forget the basil and chives to eat with your tomatoes. Because it's vital to keep young vegies growing as rapidly as possible, apply liquid fertiliser plus seaweed extract every week or two.

Pest watch

Slugs and snails love new seedlings, so use pet-safe Multiguard pellets, or patrol by torchlight at night, picking them off by hand. A saucer of beer is an effective trap. Treat caterpillars with organic Dipel or Yates Success.