Some plants stick around during these tougher months though, and they can be given a helping hand with one household item if they are struggling.
Fungal infection can have a nasty impact on plants, with powdery mildew and black spot devastating them if they take hold.
If you spot the signs of such disease, then mixing a household item in water for a spray can help stop it from spreading.
What household item can help struggling plants in autumn?
Bicarbonate of soda can be a useful tool in the fight against fungal infection in plants, when diluted with water and sprayed onto a plant.
Chris Taylor, of Chris Taylor Gardening, explains that it works most effectively as a preventive measure, once the first signs of infection have been noticed.
He shared: “It tends to work best as a preventative spray or at the first sign of infection, rather than once the disease has taken hold.”
Angelika Zaber, a Lawn Care Specialist and Gardening Expert working for Online Turf, shares that you would need to mix around one teaspoon of bicarb per 500ml of water.
From there you can put it in a clean spray bottle to apply to plants afflicted with fungal infection.
She adds: “Then, it can be used as an effective foliar spray that helps to combat fungal diseases. The mixture should then be reapplied after rain or irrigation for best results.”
Taylor concurs, saying: “A typical solution is around a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid or horticultural oil to help it adhere to the leaves.
“Gardeners should use it sparingly, as excessive applications can scorch foliage in hot weather and lead to a gradual build-up of sodium in the soil.”
Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture, urges gardeners to be careful if using the bicarbonate of soda spray.
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He explains: “Although baking soda will not eliminate the spores that cause such infections, it can help to control the symptoms when combined with water and horticultural oil.
“Avoid using baking soda on the soil of plants, as it can raise the alkalinity of the soil too high for the majority of plants.
“If the soil pH is too high, this can block plant roots from taking up nutrients, and overuse can make them wilt, dry up and eventually die.”
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