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and ceramic pots that aren't frost-proof Order farmyard manure or mushroom compost Around the gardenPlant heathers and trailing ivy in pots for winter colourCut down faded stems on rudbeckia and Shasta daisiesFinish planting tulips as soon as possible

Protect tender plants for winterThe trend for growing exotic looking plants in our gardens means that some of them may need protection from the worst of the winter cold and wet. Wrap half hardy bananas, palms and tree ferns with fleece, straw

Grow hippeastrumThe huge trumpet flowers of hippeastrum, often called amaryllis, are sure to brighten up the dark days of winter. You might get one as a Christmas gift, but it's also worth treating yourself to one (or more!) of the massive bulbs

off shrubs and conifersPlace rabbit guards around trees to protect barkFirm down plants lifted by frost or wind rockAround the gardenDeadhead winter-flowering pansies and bedding plantsDivide congested herbaceous perennialsPrune winter jasmine to cut

Winter prune wisteria Vigorous wisteria needs pruning twice a year if it is to flower well. Cut back all the long whippy growth that has been made during the summer and prune again in July to encourage the development of flowering spurs.Tidy up

an impressive spring display that will flower for weeks.Prune suckers away from the base of ornamental treesCollect watering equipment to store in the shedProtect glazed pots from frost damageAround the gardenPlant out spring beddingPot up tender perennials from

Insulate a greenhouse with bubble polytheneAs the cold weather draws in, you need to think about how you are going to protect your plants through the winter. If you have a greenhouse but don't want to install a costly heating system, lining

Around the gardenLift dahlia tubers or protect those left in the ground Sow sweet peas now Collect seeds and berries from shrubs and flowering plantsFlowersLift and store carrots Pot up herbs to bring under cover for winter useSow green manure crops over bare areas

to early summer for best results. Remove winter grime from patios with a pressure washerSow new lawnsSnip plain green shoots off variegated shrubsAround the gardenPlant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps

, or even into the border.Treat timber fences, trellis and posts with preservativeInstall water butts to all downpipes on your houseApply moss killer to lawnsAround the gardenSow sunflowers outsideTrim winter-flowering heathersPick off faded flower heads