JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK

■ Get a head start with hardy annuals, and sow now. These can be sown in situ or in trays.

■ Remove summer raspberry canes which have finished fruiting. Next year’s fruit will be on the fresh green canes and these need tying in to supports. No raspberries? Think about ordering them and other fruiting canes, such as blackberries, now as you can plant them in the dormant season this winter.

■ It’s a good time of year for soil improvement while the earth is still pliable and not waterlogged – dig in your garden compost or fork in some well-rotted manure, pictured.

■ While the ground is still warm, it’s a good time to plant herbaceous perennials. The soil is still warm, which encourages root growth before winter sets in, and there’s also sufficient moisture to hydrate them.

By planting now, you give plants a head start so that by spring they are raring to go.

■ Dry days make good seed-collection days. Armed with a brown paper bag and pen, shake the seed into the bag and label. Many seeds can be sown fresh now or kept in a dry cool place for spring sowing.