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and out before putting up bubble polythene for insulationSow hardy annuals, like calendulas, in pots for early displaysCheck bulbs, corms and tubers in store for signs of rotWater sparingly in winter, taking care not to splash water aroundPick yellowing

Cut down willows and dogwoods to their base to promote strong new canes Finish taking hardwood cuttings from shrubs, trees and rosesPlant bare-root roses, hedging, trees and shrubsPick off hellebore leaves with black blotches as this is a symptom

Clear away annual climbers, like sweet peas and morning glory, growing on obelisksPick seedheads and evergreen foliage and mix with fruit such as clementines or limes to make a fresh Christmas wreathMove tubs of shrubs or winter bedding to a

Make last-minute pickings of fresh flowers for the houseSpread compost on to flower beds for worms to work in over winterCollect fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot from around rosesFork compost into borders, but take care not to spike emerging

Water azaleas regularly with rainwaterTake the last chance to bring on forced indoor bulbs for festive decorationsWater potted fuchsias sparingly to prevent the compost drying out completelyTidy the greenhouse and pick faded leaves from pelargoniums

Mint plants give the best flavour and fragrance from new growth and are renowned for their vigour. So take cuttings in spring and you'll have young mint plants bursting with flavour and ripe for the picking to last you all summer. Mint plant

SievePaper envelopeAugust - October1 hourChoose a couple of healthy tomatoes and mark them with a tag, so you don't pick and eat them by accident.When the tomatoes are very ripe, pick them off the plant and cut into them over a plate.Scrape the tomato seeds out into a

with purple stripes.Pick off the adult beetles and larvae by hand and destroy.Spray with an insecticide - thiocloprid or imidacloprid - between late summer and spring. Avoid using insecticide when the plants are in flower as bees may also be killed

be surprised to hear that this week I couldn't wait to get up to the plot and start picking. Even Paul braved the icy winds to give me a hand with the harvest. And why were we so excited? Because the purple sprouting broccoli was ready.Luscious green, purple

I can't say it's a surprise - I've been expecting the annual appearance of a whopping great marrow on one of my courgette plants. It happens every year, without fail. I try to be so thorough when I'm picking, delving under the leaves, harvesting