Around the garden checklist

16 - 22 December 2013

It's time to...

Work off Christmas excesses by digging over bare areas of ground
Place cloches over tender plants to give them extra protection from frost
Sharpen blades on hoes, secateurs and other garden tools, and wipe with an oily rag before storing away
Do a final collection of any autumn leaves still lying around
Search through seed and bulb catalogues for new things to grow this coming season
Repair wobbly or damaged fences and treat wooden structures with preservative
Put out fresh water for birds every day in frosty weather
Wrap pots with sacking or insulating material to protect the roots of plants
Make last-minute stocking fillers from collected seedheads saved into pretty envelopes
Pick evergreen foliage for indoor decorations, storing in water in a porch or shed before bringing into the house on Christmas Eve