What's New

Removing large branches.

Storing pelargoniums, begonias, dahlias and chrysanthemums for the winter.

Our plant photograph database is starting to take shape.

• Remove algae and moss from patios and paths with a proprietary patio and path cleaner or tar-oil winter wash.
• For an early crop of strawberries bring the pots into the greenhouse now.
• Start off seed potatoes, standing them in seed trays with eyes uppermost.
• If you are ordering seeds or plugs from mail-order companies, you'll need to get your order in soon.
• Prune fruit trees, rose bushes and wisteria.
• Pot up any cuttings that have rooted.
• Clear away old crops from the greenhouse, including grow bags, they can harbour hibernating insects and their eggs. Spread the grow bag compost on the soil as a soil conditioner.
• If you have had a fall of snow, gently shake shrub branches, a build up of snow and ice can cause branches to snap.
• If your pond has frozen over melt a small area of ice with hot water, to release any build up of gases that could harm your fish, Do not break the ice, the shock wave created may kill pond life.
• After a frost try to stay off the grass. Treading on the lawn in frosty conditions can damage the grass.
• Refirm the roots of any shrubs that may have been lifted by frost.
• Put out feeders for birds, not forgetting fresh water. Encouraging birds into the garden will help reduce the number of insects and slugs.
• Switch outside water taps off at the mains and leave the outside tap open, draining any water, so the pipes don't freeze.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Cover shrubs that are likely to be damaged by frost with garden fleece, sacking or an old light blanket.
• On a dry still day rake up fallen leaves, don't put them on the compost heap, as leaves break down in a cold process, whereas a traditional compost heap breaks organic matter down in a warm/hot process. Put them into a leaf composter, or make leafmould.

  How to make leafmould
  Left on the lawn they'll rot down encouraging the spread of moss. Pile them into black bin liners, add some water and after tying the tops of the bags, poke some holes in the side with a garden fork and store them in a secluded part of your garden. By next summer you should have some nice leafmould.

• Listen to the weather forecasts, if frost is due cover sensitive plants with sacking or netting.
• Plant or move roses. They like plenty of sun and a clay soil. Leave 60cm (24in) between plants to allow air circulation, which will reduce the chance of infection.
• As the nights draw in houseplants will require less feeding and watering. However as the temperature drops outside the central heating goes on and the temperature in the house tends to go up. Ensure your houseplants don't dry out.