September always feels like a turning point in the garden. The long, lighter days of summer begin to shorten, the mornings have a cooler edge, and there is a sense that the garden is quietly preparing itself for the months ahead.

For many of us, there is another familiar marker of September: the children go back to school. After the busy, slightly chaotic rhythm of the summer holidays, routines return — and the garden benefits from a little renewed attention too.

‍Drought can be tough on a garden (this year so far has proved that) but the damage isn't limited to thirsty plants. Prolonged dry weather can have a significant impact on the soil itself, leaving it hard, hydrophobic and biologically quiet.

The good news is that healthy soil is one of the best tools we have for making gardens more resilient. Here’s our guide to all things soil and how we can prepare the ground before the next dry spell — and help it recover when the rain finally returns.