Flower Garden.

• Containers with winter bedding should be raised on feet or bricks to ensure good drainage during wet weather.
  
• If you have heavy clay soil now is a good time to work in lots of  organic matter such as your own compost or well rotted farmyard manure.
  
• Finish your autumn tidy of beds and borders if not already done. Any leaves or debris can be added to you compost bin.
  
• If you don’t have a compost bin now would be a good time to buy one and install it ready for next year.
  
• Any alpines should be cleared of debris and have a sheet of glass or plastic placed above them to protect them from the heaviest rains.
  
• Any tender plants not brought inside should be wrapped in a protective covering of bubblewrap, fleece etc.
  
• If you have room for a conifer why not buy a rooted Christmas tree. Keep it well watered whilst indoors and take outside as soon as possible. Try to get a pinus or abies instead of the usual spruce.
  
• Indoors, water your houseplants less often and keep them away from direct sources of heat such as radiators.

 
Lawns.

• At this time of year there is very little to do with the lawn except keep it free from debris.
  
• Make sure that the grass is walked upon as little as possible during frosty and very wet weather.
  
• If you find people are taking a short cut across your lawn then now is a good time to think about sinking stepping stones where they are walking. If the slabs are lower than the surrounding lawn then you can mow right over the top.
  
• Now is a good time to have your mower serviced.
  
• Before putting a mower away for the winter make sure it is drained of petrol, if it is a power mower, cleaned and oiled.

 
Fruit and Vegetables.

• Prune apple and pear trees that are growing in the open but do not prune cordons, fans or espaliers.
  
• Gooseberries and all the currants can now be pruned as well.
  
• Make sure that all fruit is pruned to give an open shape without any branches crossing or touching.
  
• Protect your brassicas from pigeons with fleece, cloches or a frame of wire netting.
  
• Continue to harvest brussels sprouts by taking the largest lower sprouts first as this will ensure they go on cropping.
  
• Bring your bay tree under cover if the weather is particularly cold as they are borderline hardy.
  
• Pot up some herb plants and bring into the kitchen to save going out in bad weather.
  
• Check that stakes, ties and protection are still in place following very windy weather.

 
Wildlife.

• Don’t take all the holly berries for Christmas decorations but leave some for the birds.
  
• Carry on leaving out bird food of all kinds and sizes. The more variety of food the more variety of birds.
  
• Make sure there is always plenty of water in the bird bath and keep it free of ice.
  
• If the ground is not frozen you could dig a wildlife pond and have it ready for the spring to attract even more fascinating creatures.
  
• If you are planting new trees or shrubs consider using native species to attract more wildlife.
  
• Watch for signs of large hedgehogs not yet hibernating if it is mild and feed with dog food or a brand of food sold specially for them.

 
Looking Good This Month.

Azalea - House plant with glossy green leaves and pretty flowers.

Clematis Armandii - Evergreen climber with fragrant white flowers.

Cyclamen Coum - Silver green leaves with dainty flowers from white to red.

Elaeagnus Limelight - Tough shrub with striking green and gold foliage.

Hippeastrum - Showy house plant with large blooms atop long stems.

Ilex varieties - Evergreen shiny leaves with attractive berries.

Jasmine Nudiflorum - Winter jasmine. Yellow flowers on bright green stems.

Mahonia Media - Tall shrub with fragrant yellow flowers.

Poinsettia - The Christmas indoor plant with red or cream bracts.

Viburnum Bodnantense - Sweetly scented large shrub with pink or white blooms.

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