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Protect tender plants for winterThe trend for growing exotic looking plants in our gardens means that some of them may need protection from the worst of the winter cold and wet. Wrap half hardy bananas, palms and tree ferns with fleece, straw

Plant bare-root rosesDreaming of the summer and a garden full of beautiful roses? Now's the time to plant them so that their roots establish well during the spring. Even newly planted roses will reward you with blooms in their first season

Grow dahlias from seedColourful dahlias make a welcome addition to the late-summer garden and will continue to flower until the first frost. While many dahlias are grown from tubers planted in May, you can also raise them from seed.Knock heavy snow

Divide and replant snowdrop bulbsSnowdrops look stunning in carpets around the base of shrubs and in borders and are a welcome sign that spring is on its way. If you want to spread them around your garden then now's the time to lift and divide

Make fat cakes for the birdsEnjoy watching birds feeding in your garden all through the winter by making your own fat cakes for them. Feeding garden birds is important for their survival over the coming months so make up a pot of our mixture

it into growth up to eight weeks early. Top up bird baths with fresh water dailyRecycle your Christmas tree at the local council tipCheck closing dates for any seed catalogue discountsAround the gardenSquash mistletoe berries into apple tree branchesCut down old

to early summer for best results. Remove winter grime from patios with a pressure washerSow new lawnsSnip plain green shoots off variegated shrubsAround the gardenPlant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps

- and nothing could be fresher.Cut out any plain green shoots on variegated shrubs and treesTreat moss and weeds in lawns with weed killerHoe bare areas of soil to prevent weedsAround the gardenPlant gladioli in groups to depth of 10-15cmComplete outside sowings

with cloches or sheets of polythenePlace a ball in a pond to prevent it fully freezing overTake your petrol mower to a dealer for maintenanceAround the gardenPlant bare-root roses in well-prepared groundTrim away unwanted suckers from tree basesClear borders

pods that taste much better than any out-of-season beans in a supermarket.Plant tender crops outsideDig out perennial weedsWash dust off the foliage of houseplantsAround the gardenPlant up hanging basketsPlant out potted alliums to add interest