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and eucomis, under coverCheck all plants for signs of pests and treat immediatelySow sweet peas in potsAvoid moving Christmas cactus during autumn while they're forming flower buds, to prevent damageMove potted peaches and nectarines under cover

Growing helleboresA must-have for the winter garden, hardy hellebores flower from late-winter to early spring. They also make great cut flowers - simply snip off flower heads and float in a shallow bowl of water.There are many varieties of hellebore

Top up bird baths with fresh water daily and melt ice with warm water on frosty daysRecycle your Christmas tree by using the local council tip's shredding serviceCheck the closing dates for any early order discounts from seed catalogues so you don

with low-growing stems can be propagated by layering, such as honeysuckle, mock orange (Philadelphus), rhododendron, magnolia and forsythiaDig up and divide clumps of winter aconitesPlant new shrubs and hardy perennialsCut away old foliage on Christmas

for ChristmasPlant pots of 'Paper White' narcissus for indoor displaysRemove lower leaves from cordon-trained tomatoes up to the bottom truss, to let light and air reach the fruits

Plant spring bedding, including wallflowers and forget-me-nots, among tulipsLift, divide and replant congested clumps of perennialsNet holly berries to protect them from hungry birds if you want them for Christmas arrangementsPlant lily bulbs, including

on staging to dry thoroughly before storingMonitor day and night temperatures with a max-min thermometer and turn on heating if neededWater plants sparingly and avoid splashing the water aroundMove Christmas cacti to where they get short days and long nights

Clear away annual climbers, like sweet peas and morning glory, growing on obelisksPick seedheads and evergreen foliage and mix with fruit such as clementines or limes to make a fresh Christmas wreathMove tubs of shrubs or winter bedding to a

Net crops to protect them from pigeonsEarmark your best sprouts for the Christmas table and give them last-minute protection if windyTake hardwood cuttings from fruit bushesGet ready for planting asparagus in spring, removing weeds and digging over

Parsnips need a really long growing season but they're well worth the wait. Sow seeds early in the year and look forward to parsnips roasted for the Christmas table, or in warming winter soups.Parsnip seeds e.g. 'Gladiator F1'Trowel or draw hoe