Hints & Tips

Plant tulips until the end of November

Plant winter flowering pansies by the end of November

Make sure you have some horticultural fleece handy to throw over tender shrubs when frosts strike

Roses need very little attention this month - just make sure they are all tidied up for winter and clear away dead leaves and debris where pests and diseases can survive

This is a good time to plant new roses. Make sure you prepare the planting hole well, adding in some farm manure before you plant

Newly planted roses should be watered in during their first growing season. Mulching the soil will help conserve moisture

Support standard rose trees with a substantial stake

This is your last chance to catch up with jobs you didn't do earlier, such as aerating your lawns and applying autumn lawn feed

Watch out for areas of your lawn that may become waterlogged and make a note to improve drainage next spring

Keep off the grass if frosty or very wet to prevent damage. Remove fallen leaves

Service or clean your lawn mower. Sharpen or replace the blades. When spring comes you'll be glad you did

Cover brassicas with fleece or netting to stop pigeons attacking the delicious green leaves

Clear away the remains of old crops and put them on your compost heap. Remember to add Garotta biological compost maker every 15cm

Plant up containers for a colourful winter show. Choose a good quality frost-proof pot that will complement your chosen plants adding crocks for good drainage and fill with fresh Webbs multi-purpose compost

Try planting pots with mini cyclamen and winter flowering heathers for a colourful display, under planted with bulbs such as daffodils, snowdrops and crocus

Remember that frost resistant doesn't mean frost proof so make sure you wrap any terracotta, glazed and stoneware containers with old sacking or bubble-wrap

Established trees can be winter-pruned this month once the last of the leaves have fallen

Prune blackberries, loganberries, tayberries and other hybrid berries by cutting off all fruited canes at the base

Gather fallen leaves and rotting windfall fruit and use to make a very rich compost

Keep an area in pools and ponds ice free to stop the build up of gases that could harm wildlife. Never smash the ice, melt it. Alternatively, you could invest in a pond heater

Feed fish with a wheat-germ food as this is more easily digestable at low temperatures

Heating is usually essential now if you want to keep the greenhouse frost-free. Insulating with bubble polythene will help cut heating bulbs

On warm days ensure there is some ventilation

Fruiting rods of grape vines should be pruned hard after the leaves have all dropped. Cut the rods to about 3cm from the main stem

You may think pests are dead or hibernating but unfortunately whitefly and greenfly enjoy the greenhouse all year round! Be vigilant and spray as necessary