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be sheltering slugs and snailsAround the gardenCollect seed from allium and sow straight awayPlant evergreen shrubs and conifer hedgesCarefully dig up gladioli corms FlowersKeep harvesting root veg such as beetroot and carrotsOrder fruit trees and bushes

bird baths and feedersAround the gardenClear faded growth of golden hops and annual climbersPlant bare-root roses in well-prepared soilTransplant shrubs and conifersFlowersCheck fruits in store for signs of rot or deteriorationPlant new fruit bushes

named 'pine' ladybird, Exochomus quadipustulatus (left), which specialises in eating scale insects on broad-leaf and conifer trees. They're present as grey, wart-like pupae, and are pock-marking the bark like some strange disease.Scattered among them

.Many of these garlands were cleverly constructed from woven stems of willow or dogwood, with the same supple wands being used to tie in sprigs of evergreens, conifer and festive favourites like holly and ivy. Berries and seasonal fruits added colour. Angels were created

hidden out of sight.Heavy snow can weigh down branches, especially on evergreens and conifers, and even break or distort them if it isn't brushed away. Most of us were probably keener to stay warm indoors during the snow than venture outside to clear snow

something with a far more complicated botanical name, but remember that plants are popular for a reason. Plants fall in and out of fashion (like conifers featured in my last blog), but you really shouldn't let this put you off growing them

mould. Small thin leaves such as birch break down fairly quickly, while large leathery ones such as chestnut benefit from being shredded first. Evergreen leaves and conifer needles take far longer to rot and should not be included in great quantities

be enough to keep the topiary in good shape.AdamHand shears make the best tools, as they provide you with the most control.More on pruning and training plantsHow to make a spiral plant supportFollow Joe Swift's guide to pruning honeysuckleTrim a conifer

with trees and plants with the same sense of fidelity as Zsa Zsa Gabor in her prime.At number five: Abies Koreana, the Korean Fir. I know that conifers are a little suspect among the high echelons of garden society and I also believe that many of them

planting 'aliens', they stick out like sore thumbs.  By aliens I mean the good serviceable evergreens that work well in gardens but never quite fit in when planted near fields and woods. A tall conifer in a hedge looks as uncomfortable as a jockey in a