Clear away annuals

Given a mild autumn, many annuals will keep on flowering well into October, but by now their days are numbered and it makes sense to tidy them up before winter sets in. Snip off twine from plant supports before removing them. Check stakes and cane toppers for pests then wipe down before storing in a shed or garage. Annuals should pull out of the ground fairly easily. Cut thick sunflower and cosmos stems into smaller sections to help them break down. Put seedheads and diseased material in your green waste bin and everything else on the compost heap.