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According to the papers it's been the coldest start to December for 30 years - an average of only 1.7° C.The cold weather has hopefully killed a lot of pests, but I've not been able to get on with many of my jobs on the plot. I've not been able

blackthorn tree at the edge of the plot and I've been religiously topping them up since the beginning of the cold snap in December. This has been greatly appreciated by my resident robin, which has lately been almost spherical it had puffed up its feathers so

was taken some years ago. It was during December, yet these two were still up for some early morning love-making.

of home-grown garlic, 'Red Baron' onion and a dash of pesto, all grilled on a piece of ciabatta.So here we are in early December, munching on one of the more exotic vegetable crops. I'm really pleased the peppers are still there, particularly as

't be simpler or cheaper to create. Just use Christmas tree branches trimmed from the base of a tree, greenery gathered from your garden and a set of lights. We used pittosporum, miscanthus, ivy seed heads and a couple of phormium leaves.DecemberWinteran hour

This box pyramid container display with red lights and a skirt of red pansies has all the colours of Christmas. Tendrils of the mattress vine weave in and out to create a wreath-like effect around the base.November - DecemberWinter30 minutes

This striking combination of snowdrops, black ophiopogon and silvery convolvulus is just the thing for brightening up a terrace or doorstep. A terracotta pot, sprayed with metallic paint, will set off the contemporary planting scheme to perfection.December

that will provide year-round interest.October - December or February - AprilAll year round30 minutesSilver birch, Betula utilisSoft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum x3Heuchera, e.g. Heuchera 'Greenfinch' x3Large, wide pot or wooden barrelJohn Innes No. 3 loam

Chilli plants will thrive on a sunny window sill or in a greenhouse. They have a long cropping season, so you could still be harvesting fresh chillies in December. You will need just two small pots to sow your chilli seeds; use a good quality seed

Box - Buxus sempervirensCrab apples - Malus 'Golden Hornet'Stub wireSecateursPliersDecember1 hourSoak the Oasis in water and cut it to fit the pots. If they are going to sit on a precious surface, line them first with a sheet of plastic.Push the Oasis