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Used in gardening to refer to the technique of excluding light from the stem and/or leaves of plants, in order to reduce the green chlorophyll they contain. The technique may involve wrapping plants with paper collars (as for celery), earthing up

Move worm compost bins under cover for winterEmpty glazed and ceramic pots that aren't frost-proof and move under coverOrder loads of farmyard manure or mushroom compost to use over winterCut down marginal plants surrounding pondsCheck piles

Spread a thick layer of mulch (manure or compost) around fruit trees and bushesPlant fruit bushes, trees and canes into enriched soilPrune blackcurrants, cutting out a quarter of the oldest woody stems from mature plantsOrder blight-resistant seed

I'm a sucker for summer-flowering bulbs, and at this time of year I always get carried away. March is an expensive month — I'm often tempted to order far too many summer bulbs from both mail-order companies and the internet.I use the term 'bulb

Trim hedges to keep them neat, then shred and compost the clippingsTop up compost or bark mulches around heathersHoe and hand weed bordersWater hanging baskets and patio containers regularlyPlace orders for bulbs to plant this autumnDeadhead flowers

Prune suckers away from the base of ornamental treesCollect hoses, sprinklers and other watering equipment to store in the shed over winterProtect glazed pots from frost damage by wrapping up or bringing into a shedOrder bare-root roses for planting

Keep harvesting root veg such as beetroot and carrotsOrder fruit trees and bushes for planting from late autumnFinish picking beans, but leave a few pods to ripen fully to save their seedClear away plants and fading foliage from old cropsPrune back

Keep harvesting root veg such as beetroot and carrotsOrder fruit trees and bushes for planting from late autumnFinish picking beans, but leave a few pods to ripen fully to save their seedClear away plants and fading foliage from old cropsPrune back

Top up fuel tank of paraffin heater every eveningBring potted hyacinths and bulbs under cover to bloomMake a sowing plan for raising greenhouse crops and bedding plants, and order seeds Bring potted peaches under cover to prevent an attack of leaf

The same thing happens every year. I buy my bulbs in good time, and then don't make time to plant them! I've got a huge bag of tulips and other bulbs to be planted, but it will soon be December.Other things got in the way during October, and then I