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Sow a green manure crop, such as crimson clover, fenugreek or field lupins, which can be dug into the soil later in the season to improve itSow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches: carrots, beetroot, broad beans, salad onions

Sow green manure crops such as field beans and grazing ryePlant garlic and autumn onion setsCover endive to blanch the leavesDig up and pot up roots of chicory for winter forcingPick apples and pears before the wind blows them downFinish pruning blackberries

cataloguesMow lawns during dry weather with blades set highBring garden hoses and sprinklers under cover for winter to avoid damage in freezing weatherCollect canes and plant supports, and store them in the shedSow a green manure crop over bare areas

by windCheck bulbs and tubers in storage for signs of rotRake up leaves to compost into leaf-mouldSow a green manure crop of field beans on bare soilBuild a log pile for beneficial insects and animals to use for hibernationSend off for new seed and bulb

next yearHarvest mature marrows, pumpkins and squashesSave fully ripe seeds from your favourite peas, beans and tomatoes to sow next yearPick apples and pears as they ripenSow a green manure crop of winter rye on bare areas of soilOrder fruit trees

farmyard manure or other composted green wasteUse cloches to protect winter peas, beans and saladsLift and pot up chicory roots to force chiconsPlant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruitsBring potted bay trees under cover if conditions turn very cold

some gentle warm up exercises before you start and stretches when you finish. More advice on improving soil Video guide to making compostImproving your soil with green manureMaking a soil sieveTips on making compost

. Create lots of lanterns for a dramatic display and they'll really light up the scene.Sow green manure crops to fill bare soilRemove pond weedsHoe and hand weed bordersAround the gardenDead head pelargoniums and other summer bedding plantsPrune wisteria

on, so I hardened them off quite abruptly by putting them outside.Against all odds, my chillies burst into new life and vigour. I repotted them in fresh compost and sowed seeds of red clover around the base of their stems, to act as a green manure. I

, sandwiching the mesh in-between.AdamYour sieve can also double as a drying tray in autumn and winter for onions, garlic, root crops and beans before you store them.More ways to improve soilCarol Klein's video guide to mulchingImproving your soil with green