THE leaves are starting to fall, the lawn needs rejuvenating, the beds could do with a tidy-up, and overcrowded plants can be lifted and divided.

Autumn is potentially a busy time in the garden so it's essential to have the right tools for the job to help make the season relatively pain-free.

There are some tools which will make your life easier in autumn and if you invest in the best now, you will appreciate their quality in years to come:

n Secateurs: It's worth tidying up shrubs in beds and borders at this time of year, cutting out old or diseased wood to make way for new growth in the spring.

There's a wealth of secateurs on the market but invest in a good quality pair that will last for years, if you look after them.

n Rakes: It's important to clear leaves from the lawn because they can smother and weaken grass roots, reducing their oxygen intake, and can harbour pests and diseases which may re-infect plants in later years.

Any leaves which have settled in the crown of plants should also be removed, although those lying on the soil in beds and borders can be left to decompose. Rakes are perfect tools for removing thatch and moss from the lawn in both autumn and spring, without damaging existing grass.

n Forks: Digging in organic matter to enrich your soil is one of the primary jobs in autumn, so the ground is ready for planting in spring - and a good garden fork is perfect for this job.

Buy the best quality one you can, as so many cheaper versions end up with prongs bending or even snapping under duress. You'll also need a fork to lift plants which you want to move or divide in autumn.

n Bulb planters: You can use a hand trowel and fork to do this job, but bulb planters lift a core of soil, enabling you to plant bulbs quickly and are useful in soil that holds together well but is not to heavy.

Instead of having to kneel to do the job you can buy them with a long handle so you can push the planter in with your foot.

What to do this week

n Plant spring-flowering hardy annuals and biennials.

n Plant new evergreens

n Net the pond to protect it from autumn leaves

n Start to prepare the garden for winter, cleaning garden furniture before putting it away

n Put insulation in the greenhouse