September used to be all about preparing for the first frost, but not any more.  Mild autumns mean it is now worth growing plants which peak much later. Slot them into summer borders to give you another month or two of colour before the bleak grey of winter arrives. Early apples such as Discovery will be ripening now and are best eaten straight from the tree. Blackberries, wild plums and even the early sloes are all plump in the hedgerows and ready for the taking so get busy with your basket and take a freebie from Mother Nature!