In The Flower Garden

• Spread compost on to flower beds for worms to work in over winter
• Collect fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot from around roses
• Fork compost into borders, but take care not to spike emerging bulbs
• Deadhead pansies regularly
• Plant lily-of-the-valley
• Tie string or wire around conifers and yew to prevent heavy snow damaging branches
• Fill empty containers with winter heathers and trailing ivy
• Firm soil around roses loosened by storms
• Replace wobbly tree stakes and worn plant ties

In The Fruit and Vegetable Garden

• Net crops to protect them from pigeons
• Protect sprouts for the Christmas table from windy weather
• Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes
• Get ready for planting asparagus in spring, removing weeds and digging over the soi, and adding compost
• Order onion sets and seed potatoes
• Plant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruits
• Start to plan next year’s crop rotation
• Prune large fruit trees to control their shape and size, and to increase productivity
• Cut out about a quarter of the oldest stems from currant bushes
• Lift and divide congested clumps of rhubarb, replanting into soil enriched with well-rotted manure

In The Greenhouse

• Water azaleas with rainwater
• Take the last chance to bring on forced indoor bulbs for festive decorations
• Water potted fuchsias sparingly to prevent the compost drying out completely
• Tidy the greenhouse and pick faded leaves from pelargoniums and other plants
• Bring potted strawberries under cover to encourage earlier fruiting
• Order seeds and make a sowing plan for greenhouse crops and bedding plants
• Check heaters are working efficiently and top up paraffin if necessary
• Pinch out the tips of autumn-sown sweet peas to promote bushier growth
• Bring pots or glasses of prepared hyacinths indoors to flower
• Protect potted peach trees from winter rain and peach leaf curl by bringing under cover

Genarally Around The Garden

• Place cloches over tender plants to give them extra protection from frost
• Sharpen blades on hoes, secateurs and other garden tools, and wipe with an oily rag before storing away
• Do a final collection of any autumn leaves still lying around
• Search through seed and bulb catalogues for new things to grow this coming season
• Repair wobbly or damaged fences and treat wooden structures with preservative
• Put out fresh water for birds every day in frosty weather
• Wrap pots with sacking or insulating material to protect the roots of plants
• Make last-minute stocking fillers from collected seedheads saved into pretty envelopes
• Pick evergreen foliage for indoor decorations, storing in water in a porch or shed before bringing into the house on Christmas Eve

Enjoy your week. See you next week 10 am!

Andrew