Planting
· If you haven't done so already, plant bulbs like narcissus during dry spells. Planting bulbous irises will give you a lovely late winter display.

· October is the time to plant new trees and shrubs as well as foxgloves, forget-me-nots, wallflowers, polyanthus and Sweet William. Prepare the soil by digging over, removing weeds and adding some well-rotted compost.

Maintenance
· It's the time of year for an astonishing spectrum of autumnal colour, and with it, falling leaves in their hundreds. If you've got a big garden check out UKTV Style Gardens Top Five Leaf Blowers.

· Dead leaves make great compost so throw them in the composter! Also keep raking leaves off the lawn so you don't end up with yellow patches where the grass can't get light.

· Cut back and clear all dead and decaying plant material which is the ideal hiding place for pests and diseases.

Read on for more October maintenance and pruning tips plus how to ask Sven a question of your own.