With the heat of the summer becoming a fading memory and the floriferous nature of the garden slowing down, it would be advisable to carry out an audit on the state of the garden.

It is still warm enough for weeds to grow in both garden beds and in lawn, by keeping on top of the ephemeral weeds will reduce the spread of seeds around the garden.

Seeds can be distributed in numerous ways including wind, rain, on the coats of animals and on vehicle tyres.

Disease problems, especially when mornings are damp, can spread rapidly if not checked with immediate attention once seen. Ring spots on foliage is not a good sign and spraying with a suitable fungicide is a necessity to stop the spread of spores.

Foliage that is showing lesions on foliage and on soft stem growth is also an indicator of a potential problem. In the worst-case scenarios prune back diseased branches to a node to encourage new growth. Make certain all pruned and fallen foliage is removed from all flower beds as this could well be a host for future problems, in controlling pest and disease.

For future garden colour, annuals can provide a vibrant display, especially when used as carpet bedding, and now is a good time to start sowing seeds. There is a wide range to choose from, from low-growing Alyssum, Ageratum and Lobelia to taller varieties such as Stocks, French Marigold, Phlox, Petunia and Pansy. When buying seed, check the expiry date on the back of packet to make sure the seeds are fresh this year.

Seeds are best started in a seed tray to germinate and then pricked out into cell packs — as do the nurseries — and grown on to the point they are established enough to be planted out in their final planting area. In flower beds where foundation plantings are spaced well apart, using annuals creates a good cover to assist in weed control, especially the low growing Alyssum, Lobelia, Ageratum, with Pansy and Petunia also being good ground covers.

Plant taller types in protected areas away from wind and salt spray; as they become established it may be necessary to pinch the growing tip to encourage sideways growth which will also anchor them in the ground.

October is also a good time to plant herbaceous, bulbous and rhizomatous types, though not always available in nurseries, friends may have clumps which require thinning out. Consider planting Agapanthus — Lily of the Nile, Hemerocallis — Day Lily, Dahlia, Freesia, Iris, Crinum and Daffodils. Plant when the soil is moist and do not plant too deep as this may cause crown rot.

To add a touch of visual, aromatic and culinary interest, consider growing a selection of herbs in the flower beds intermingled — in groups — amid the foundation planting. Herbs also make a statement when grown in containers, which themselves be located in and among the foundation plantings. Terracotta pots are most effective in showing off herbs as they highlight the leaf shape, leaf colour and outline of the plants be they in groups or as a stand-alone type.

Now is a good time to take an audit of the plant beds in general, those plants looking old and jaded should be assessed as to their longevity or if they are passed their ‘expiry’ date. It is still timely to plant and gives the opportunity to change species or make design changes as deemed appropriate.

Always aim for creating all year-round interest in each flower bed, by including a mix of shrubs, ground covers, herbaceous and bulbous material; if space permits consider small trees and palms, the latter when planting ‘cluster’ species such as Chrysalidocarpus lutescens — Bamboo palm, Caryota mitis — Fishtail palm, Rhapis excelsa — Lady palm and Chamaerops humilis — European Fan palm. Small trees would include Eriobotrya japonica — Loquat often underused but has attractive evergreen foliage, flower and fruit. Sabinea carinalis — Carib wood is the national flower of Dominica, Callistemon lanceolatus — Bottlebrush and of course citrus.

October in general is a busy month with growth starting to slow, including lawns which will soon be showing the introduction of cool season weeds that should be dealt as soon as first seen.

• Malcolm D. Griffiths is a trained horticulturalist and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in Britain. He is also past president of the Bermuda Horticultural Society, the Bermuda Orchid Society and the Bermuda Botanical Society