This is the most important thing you can do in the garden this fall

The first piece of advice from Krokan for late summer activities in the garden is to prune bushes and trees. Pruning makes the bushes and trees airier and healthier, and reduces the risk of diseases. The best time for pruning is July, August, and September. During this time, the plants are growing well, and the wounds heal faster than during the rest of the season. For the varieties known as "bleeders", such as Hornbeam, Maple, Magnolia, Plum, and Cherry, this period is the only time of year suitable for pruning. With bleeders, sap rises in the trunk late in winter and early in spring, and there is a risk that it will flow out of the cuts, opening up for diseases and rot, she says. According to Plantasjens gardener, this is how you prune.

- First, remove dead and damaged branches. Make the cut in a place where the bush or tree has good conditions for new growth, over a young bud or side branch that extends from the trunk. Finally, remove thin, weak branches that grow into the crown or branches that lie against each other. Cut off long shoots that disturb the overall impression, advises Krokan.

Another tip for late summer activities in the garden is to collect seeds from your own plants and flowers. Many plants produce seeds. These can be collected and planted again in your own garden, exchanged, or given as a gift. Remember to pick the seeds when they are dry, let them dry further, and store them in a dry bag until you are ready to sow them, says Krokan. Some seeds can be sown immediately after harvesting, while others need to be dried or undergo a period of cold before they germinate. Especially perennial seeds can be sown immediately after harvesting. This is because they need a cold period (rest period) before they sprout.

For some people, weeding is a form of relaxation, while others have completely different tasks that they find more enjoyable. Regardless, weeding is important to prevent the flowerbeds from becoming overgrown. Weeding in August prevents the weeds from getting a head start. It is also easier to weed in the fall because the soil is usually more damp, making it easier to pull up the roots, says the gardener. Krokan also has a helpful tip to make weeding even easier. Lay newspapers soaked in water on the ground between the plants. They will help keep the weeds in check. You can fill new soil on top of the newspapers, and after a few years, the newspapers will decompose and disappear. Of course, you can also use fabric like mulch cloth or ground cover, she adds.

At this time of the year, it is also possible to make some good purchases of perennials and shrubs, and save a lot of money at garden centers.

Autumn is an excellent time to plant, because the weather is not as hot, and we often get help with natural watering. At this time, plants often grow a little less than in the middle of summer, and the plants then spend more time establishing their roots. In the spring, remember to give your newly planted plants plenty of water, says Plantasjen's gardener.

Are you dreaming of tulips, crocuses, or Crown Imperials in full glory come spring? Then you must plant the bulbs in the ground soon. From September until the ground freezes, you can plant autumn bulbs. Crocuses are among the first to bloom in spring, closely followed by snowdrops, tulips, Allium, Scilla, and many more. The bulbs are planted in autumn and will provide blooms for many years to come. Unlike spring bulbs and tubers (Dahlias, Begonias, Gladioli), these bulbs do not need to be dug up from the ground after blooming, says Krokan.