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Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns Plant up patio pots for autumn interestLift gladioli, clean the corms and store them in a shed or garagePrune rambling and climbing roses, and shorten long shoots on standard roses

, and overwinter tubers in cool dark conditionsPlant out spring beddingSow hardy annuals in cleared areas for early flowers next summerSow sweet peas in pots, and overwinter under coverPrune back standard roses to help prevent wind rock damaging the plants

Take root cuttings of oriental poppies Check stakes and ties are secure on trees and climbersMove containers of shrubs or winter bedding to a sheltered spot when conditions turn very coldPlant new rose bushesEmpty pots of spent annuals and compost

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

Prune the tops of standard roses to reduce wind rockKeep off lawns in frosty weather or if very wetPrune wisteria, shortening sideshoots to 10-15cm from their baseCheck tree ties are secureOrder dahlias, gladioli and other summer-flowering bulbsTie in the stems

Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to prune an old viburnum, removing sideshoots and woody growth to reinvigorate the plant and encourage flowering.springMore advice on pruning plantsHow to prune shrub rosesAdvice on pruning techniquesHow to summer

Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedgesSow sweet peas into deep potsTransplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sitesPlace grow-through plant supports over tall-growing perennials, like delphiniums

Tie in young delphinium growth to plant supportsSow seeds of hardy annual flowers directly into beds where you would like them to bloomStart to regularly spray roses that are vulnerable to disease Lift and divide clumps of hemerocallis

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

A problem that affects trees or shrubs when they've been planted in soil where a plant of the same species had been growing. It particularly applies to members of the Rosaceae family (roses, apples, cherries, plums). Symptoms include retarded