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, and dig deeply to sieve out roots of perennial weeds, such as bindweed, ground elder and couch grass Improve compacted soil by mixing in extra compost. Take care not to walk on or dig up spring bulbsTake root cuttings from phlox and oriental poppiesPot up

Catch earwigs in upturned pots crammed with newspaper or straw on canes among dahlias, and destroy any you findPrune pyracantha and train shoots to supports Prepare soil to plant evergreen shrubs and conifers by digging it over and incorporating

Collect and compost autumn leaves Cut back suckers growing around the base of treesVisit garden centres to choose bulbs and bedding for spring displaysMow lawns less frequently now grass growth is slowing downComplete new lawn laying projects during

Cover soil with cloches or sheets of polythene to keep it dry and frost-free before digging Place a ball in a pond to prevent ice completely covering the surfaceTake your petrol mower to a dealer for maintenanceFinish collecting leaves and clearing

1) A dish used for raising seedlings and shallow-rooted plants.2) A compacted layer of subsoil produced by digging to the same depth over time, through which roots can't penetrate.3) A surface pan may occur when topsoil is compacted by walking

, and is able to colonise new areas by producing seed.Spreading perennial plant that produces mats of foliage. Easily recognised by pretty, small, white-petalled flowers with a round yellow centre.Dig or grub out daisies from lawns using an old kitchen knife

wildlife into your garden, keep a few stems of valerian for them. There is an ornamental white form of valerian.Stems of bright pink-red flowers that quickly spread across the garden, taking over in beds and borders.The best organic control is digging

Vinca major or periwinkle is a pretty, low-growing plant often with pale blue flowers that is used as a ground cover plant because of its mat-forming properties. However, it can be very invasive, and will rapidly spread around the garden

Harvest globe artichokesStake tall Brussels sprouts to stop them from blowing overDig up chicory roots, cut off their tops and re-pot for forcing, to grow on in a dark shedWrap grease bands around the trunks of apples, pears, cherries and plums to trap

Cut late-summer-flowering clematis right down to soil levelDivide congested clumps of perennials such as asters, campanulas, rudbeckias and chrysanthemums after floweringPlant bare-rooted rosesDig up and compost exhausted summer beddingPlant out