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I always have the best of intentions post-Christmas. After the blow-out session that is the traditional festive season, I approach new year with the firm belief that I will treat my body like a temple, drink plenty of water and only touch wine

Once again Christmas is over and the house seems even more full than before (as do our tummies!) but it's been a good few days. The hens had a great time with all their kitchen scraps, but it's the wild birds I especially enjoy watching at this time

.Then came the cold snap. I took to scattering peanuts, seed, cut apples, cooked pasta, and a small amount of Christmas pudding, biscuits and cake on the ground. Some pigeons turned up, and loved their post-Christmas treat, the neighbours were less excited

, ranging from the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, to the stinking hellebore, Helleborus foetidus. Hellebores provide a great source of colour in the winter months - some flower as early as December - and will tolerate full sun to almost full shade. They

I hope you had a good Christmas and a break from your normal routine - maybe a little extra sleep and a lot of extra time in the garden or greenhouse. I’m enjoying the post-Christmas peace and quiet, and the chance to spot some winter birdlife

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