• Sow seeds of alyssum, calendula, cineraria, cornflower, forget me not, lobelia, lupin, nemesia, statice, stock, sweetpea and virginian stock.
  
• Plant seedlings of calendula, cineraria, clarkia, linaria, nemesia, pansies, polyanthus, poppies, primula, scabiosa, snapdragon, stock, viola and wallflower.
  
• Last chance to plant spring bulbs.
  
• Plant lily bulbs.
  
• Protect seedlings from slugs and snails with Quash or Blitzem.
• Spray trees and shrubs with Conqueror Oil to control scale, aphids and mites which are on the plant over winter.
  
• Collect autumn leaves for composting.
  
• Mulch trees, shrubs and perennials with compost.
  
• Plant pots with pansies, polyanthus and primula for winter colour – and bulbs for spring.
  
• Lift dahlia tubers and gladioli corms and store in a dry place.
  
• Plan new roses to plant this winter and prepare the soil  adding plenty of compost.
  
• Bring frost tender patio plants into a sheltered position.
  
• Reduce watering of houseplants and move them to a warmer position.   

• Feed lawns to boost growth and suppress weeds. Bare areas of lawn can be raked over and reseeded.

KITCHEN GARDEN

• Plant seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and spring onions.
  
• Directly into the garden sow seeds of; broad beans, spinach, winter lettuce, onions, radish, peas, turnips, swede and parsley. In trays sow broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for  planting out later.
  
• Plant seed potatoes in warmer climates.
  
• Plant garlic and shallot bulbs.
  
• Earth up celery and leeks.
  
• Protect cabbages, cauliflower and celery with Champ DP to prevent fungus diseases.
  
• Protect deciduous fruit trees with Champ DP before pruning to protect from fungus diseases.
  
• Plant strawberries.
  
• Harvest feijoas, guavas, kiwifruit and tamarillos as they ripen.
  
• Thin carrots and other autumn sown crops.
  
• Cut back asparagus to within 15cm of ground level after the stems turn yellow.
  
• Sow green crops of blue lupin, mustard, oats and barley in any vacant areas of the vegetable garden for digging into the soil in spring.
  
• Mulch vegetables and fruit trees with Tui Organic Compost.
  
• Feed citrus with Palmers Citrus Fertiliser.