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Collect and compost autumn leaves Cut back suckers growing around the base of treesVisit garden centres to choose bulbs and bedding for spring displaysMow lawns less frequently now grass growth is slowing downComplete new lawn laying projects during

Pick ripe apples and pearsFinish harvesting marrows, squashes, onions and potatoesSow broad beans and hardy peasPlant out garlic clovesEarth up leeks to cover and blanch their stemsCut away fruited blackberry canes at soil level and tie in new ones

Add old crops and bedding to the compost heapSpike lawns then brush grit into the holes to improve surface drainageCollect seeds from beans and sweet peas to sow next yearFirm soil around newly planted trees and shrubs if they've been loosened

Wrap grease bands around fruit trees to catch female winter moths climbing up from the soilPlant out garlic or start growing cloves in pots to plant out laterClear away old crops and dig over the groundSow hardy peas under fleece for an early crop

Plant heathers and trailing ivy in pots for winter colourCut down faded stems on rudbeckia and Shasta daisies, to just above soil levelFinish planting tulips as soon as possibleClear golden hop, sweet peas and annual climbers from supports

Save time by investing in a garden vac to scoop up fallen leaves, for leaf-mouldPlant bare-root trees, bare-root shrubs and hedgingRegularly wash and disinfect bird baths and feedersAvoid walking on lawns covered with frostEmpty the contents of well

BBC Gardeners' World blog on asparagus beetles, by Richard Jones

Carrots can be stored for winter use in a number of ways. On well-drained soils they can be left in the ground, protected from the cold by a thick layer of straw, bracken or soil.Carrots stored in this way can be difficult to harvest, however, so it

Learn how to plant colchicums, and pick up advice on soil enrichment, drainage and corm planting depth, in Chris Bearshaw's video guide.summerMore advice on plantingHow to plant in wavesGrowing dahlias from seedBrowse a variety of crocuses

Craft knifeall year round1 hourUse a craft knife to make holes about 3 cm across in the sides and base of the bucket.Choose an area of your garden that will not be disturbed and dig a hole to bury the bucket so that its rim is just below soil level. Loosely fill