Even though the days are rapidly shortening and right now are no longer than in mid March, there's all that summer's heat still held in the ground and in the seas around our little island. It means that air temperatures are still on a par with May and soil temperatures even higher.
That has a big effect on gardens. It means that there are still plenty of insects on the wing, from hoverflies and bees to moths. It also means that lawns can still be laid, grass seed sown, herbaceous plants divided, all because there's plenty of chance for them to get new roots down into the warm soil. Weeds, unfortunately, know that too.
Dividing to multiply: The only herbaceous plants to avoid dividing at this time of year are those that flower in late autumn - things such as Michaelmas daisies and rudbeckias. Oh, and don't try it with Eryngiums - the sea holly family (below) - which have a taproot.
But apart from that, if you have perennial plants that have developed into quite a clump, now is the time to dig it up with as much root on as possible. Break it apart into sections with a neat cut with a spade or teased apart with two garden forks back to back. Then replant as separate plants. Each will form a new clump, and it will also rejuvenate them.
It's also a good time to collect seeds, such as these Echinacea (below). I take little paper envelopes out with me anywhere I go in case I see something I want. The hedgerows and woods are full of wildflower seed at this time of year.
October is also prime time to clean out nestboxes. Wear gloves, compost the contents including any unhatched eggs, give the box a quick swill out with boiling water if possible, leave to dry, and hopefully it will then be a clean ready for a winter roost and new nest in spring.
Our Giving Nature a Home featured activity this month is all about providing a winter home for amphibians. Do tick off the activity here if you've done it (look for the button called 'Login and let us know'), or give it a go if you haven't. Hopefully it will mean more a-hopping and a-croaking in your pond next spring.
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw