In The Flower Garden

• Squash mistletoe berries into apple tree branches to encourage plants to develop
• Cut down old stems of sedums, taking care not to damage new shoots
• Clear borders and rake up leaves before bulbs start poking through
• Dig over gaps in the borders, taking time to pick out roots of perennial weeds
• Spread a layer compost around shrubs and along the base of hedges
• Plant new roses and shrubs
• Thin out the top growth on standard roses to prevent damage from the weather and wind rock
• Be ready to knock snow from shrubs bending under the weight
• Pick faded flowers off pansies to prevent them setting seed
• Collect and sow seed from garden shrubs and trees with berries

In the Fruit and Vegetable Garden

• Keep harvesting root vegetables as they mature, including parsnips and leeks
• Order seed potatoes, onion sets and shallots
• Stretch netting over brassicas to protect them from pigeons
• Cover clumps of rhubarb with buckets or terracotta pots to force early stems
• Prune red and white currants, shortening side shoots to a single bud
• Pot up strawberries to grow under cover for an early crop
• Check your soil’s pH with a special kit and add lime if it’s too acidic for your plants
• Check fruit and vegetables in store, removing any showing signs of deterioration
• Pick off yellowing leaves from the stems of Brussels sprouts and keep harvesting early varieties
• Cut down canes of autumn-fruiting raspberries to soil level

In The Greenhouse

• Sow onion seed under cover, and keep warm until germinated
• Check overwintering plants for signs of greenfly and other pests, and treat if necessary
• Bring potted strawberries under cover
• Dig up clumps of rhubarb to force into growth in darkness under large pots or bins
• Water pots of forced bulbs if their compost is dry
• Water plants sparingly taking care not to splash water around
• Wash glazing inside and out to let in the maximum amount of light
• Insulate greenhouses by fixing bubble polythene to the glazing bars
• Order seeds and young plants from mail-order companies or online
• Prune greenhouse grapevines once they’re dormant and the leaves have fallen

Generally

• Top up bird baths with fresh water daily and melt ice with warm water on frosty days
• Recycle your Christmas tree by using the local council tip’s shredding service
• Check the closing dates for any early order discounts from seed catalogues so you don’t miss a bargain
• Finish clearing fallen leaves
• Turn off the mains water supply to outside taps and wrap with insulation to prevent freezing
• Water pots of spring bulbs
• Float waterproof pond heaters in fish ponds to prevent ice covering the surface
• Give pots and seed trays a thorough scrubbing ready for the start of the sowing season

Crocus at Christmas