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in frosty weatherWrap pots with sacking or insulating material to protect the roots of plantsMake last-minute stocking fillers from collected seedheads saved into pretty envelopesPick evergreen foliage for indoor decorations, storing in water in a porch

-summer-flowering clematisDivide congested perennials after floweringPlant bare-rooted rosesFlowersWrap grease bands around fruit trees Plant out garlic or start growing cloves in potsClear away old crops and dig over the groundFruit & vegInsulate your greenhouse Bring

Birds not only use water to drink, but they also bathe in it, helping them fluff up their feathers to insulate themselves against the cold. Experts have also found that clean birds are more streamlined, so can escape from predators quickly. Our bird

in April or May, or after the last frosts.AdamMake sure that you protect the entire plant, leaving no gaps, to avoid exposure to cold air and frosts.More advice on caring for plantsSarah Raven shows how to check your bananas for frost damage.Insulate your

it with a thick layer of sharp sand. Build a neat, low, circular wall of carrots, packed in tightly. Stack the carrots with their necks facing outwards.Continue adding carrots, building them up to a pyramid.Insulate the carrots with a 30cm thick layer

staging or a dry shed.AdamIf your dahlias are in a warm, sheltered spot in the border and you don't want to lift them, add a thick layer of mulch for extra insulation in winter.Caring for your dahliasVideo guide to taking dahlia cuttings, with Sarah Raven

of the greenhouse which faces away from prevailing winds.UPVC greenhouses have lightweight roof vents and may require a stronger vent opener to keep them closed or prevent them being blown away.More greenhouse projectsInsulate your greenhouse with bubble wrap

to protect the growing point. In cold regions this can be loosely packed with straw for extra insulation.Push bamboo canes into the ground around the plant to be protected, and cover with horticultural fleece or bubble polythene to create a protective tent

rhubarb forcer to cover the crown. Plug any holes to exclude light.In cold regions or to speed forcing, insulate the outside of the pot with a thick layer of straw. Most years, forced rhubarb will be ready to harvest eight weeks after covering

, as they enable the birds to clean their feathers, insulating them from the cold and helping them to fly.The great thing is that from my kitchen I can see the birds are really appreciating my efforts, and at the same time they're providing my family with far more