Flowers

  • Plant tulip bulbs in pots and borders, covering them with at least twice their depth of soil or compost
  • Lift dahlia tubers after the first frost, clean them off and store in dry compost in a cool, frost-proof place
  • Send off for seed catalogues and start planning what to grow next year
  • Plant bare-root hedging, roses, trees and shrubs, before the weather turns really cold. 
  • Clear faded sweet peas, morning glory, thunbergia and other annual climbers from their supports
  • Cut down faded perennials that are looking tatty, then mulch the surrounding soil with garden compost
  • Plant a Japanese maple in a pot and place in a sheltered spot in semi-shade
  • Gather up and bin the fallen leaves of roses affected by black spot, so they don't carry the disease over to next year
  • Move containers of alpine plants under cover to shelter them from winter rain
  • Replenish gravel mulch around alpines to keep the foliage clear of damp soil, which can cause rotting
  • Protect plants that are borderline hardy, such as agapanthus, with a thick mulch of straw or garden compost
  • Put stem protection guards around young trees and shrubs, if rabbits are a problem
  • Sow seeds from berry-laden trees and shrubs

On the forum: share your growing tips with other gardeners and ask for advice

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Fruit and veg

More winter veg growing advice.

On the forum: which fruit and veg varieties are you growing?

Greenhouse

  • Insulate the greenhouse walls and roof with bubble polythene
  • Make sure all tender plants are safely under cover and kept frost free
  • Propagate perennials, including phlox, oriental poppies and verbascums, by taking root cuttings
  • Sow leafy crops such as rocket into small seed trays on a warm sunny windowsill, for winter pickings
  • Check greenhouse plants regularly for overwintering pests
  • Scrub down greenhouse staging, glazing and the framework with disinfectant
  • Water indoor pots of spring bulbs frequently so they never dry out
  • Wash out all empty pots and trays and store neatly under greenhouse staging, ready for use in spring
  • Bring potted herbs, such as parsley and chives, indoors to continue cropping into winter
  • Monitor greenhouse temperatures with a max-min thermometer and turn on heating if needed
  • Avoid splashing foliage when watering, as it will dry slowly in cool weather and fungal diseases may set in
  • Clear out faded tomato and cucumber plants from the greenhouse and add to the compost heap

On the forum: find out more about growing plants indoors

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House plants

  • Give houseplants extra humidity to combat the drying effects of central heating
  • Feed house plants once a week with liquid fertiliser, continuing throughout autumn
  • Repot moth orchids after flowering if they look like they’re about to burst out of their pot
  • Water house plants less frequently and move them off particularly cold windowsills at night. Find out how to water your house plants 
  • Plant hippeastrum (amaryllis) bulbs in pots for spectacular flowers over the festive season
  • Bring any house plants that you moved outside over summer back indoors, before temperatures start to drop
  • Repot any house plants that have become top heavy or pot bound into larger containers
  • Maximise the amount of light your house plants receive by moving to brighter spots, or choose indoor plants for low light
  • Some house plants, like snake plants, are particularly prone to collecting dust on their leaves. So be sure to give these a wipe regularly
  • Take leaf cuttings from house plants, including African violets, begonias and Cape primroses
  • Take leaf cuttings from succulents, such as echeverias, crassula and sedums
  • Check your house plants for pests like aphids, scale insects, thrips and mealybugs
  • Take large-leaved house plants into the garden and hose them down to clean off accumulated dust
  • For more house plant advice and inspiration visit our Growing and caring for house plants page.

 

Garden maintenance

  • Check bonfires carefully before lighting to make sure no hedgehogs or other wildlife are sheltering inside
  • Continue to mow the lawn in mild spells if the grass is still growing, but raise the height of the blades
  • Collect fallen leaves and place in bin bags, then leave to decompose into leaf mould
  • Look after garden wildlife as winter approaches, by providing additional food and shelter
  • Move wormeries under cover for the winter
  • Chop up any faded bedding plants, annuals and old crops, and add to the compost bin
  • Start pruning free-standing apple and pear trees once dormant, to control their size and encourage fruiting
  • Repair fences and trellis now they're becoming free of foliage
  • Remove pond pumps and fountains to prevent ice damage when temperatures fall below freezing
  • Wrap bubble polythene or hessian around pots to protect from frost damage and to insulate vulnerable plant roots
  • Put waterproof covers over any garden furniture that you can't take indoors over winter
  • Wrap insulating foam around outdoor taps and pipes
  • Clean out and scrub bird feeders regularly to maintain hygiene

On the forum: join in the discussion, share your wisdom and ask for help

£19.99 Supplied as a bare root.

The fruit trees within this selection are a great option for small gardens and patios. Each variety promises bumper crops and a delightful view, whether they're in full bloom or bearing fruit. Select from a trio of tree varieties, including Peach 'Redhaven', 'Bramley' Apple, and 'Stella' Cherry, and savour the sweet deal of buy one, get one free!

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£24.95 Add two Sarcocococca Confusa’s to your basket to qualify. Supplied as a 3ltr potted shrub. Price excludes P&P.

Sarcococca confusa, also known as ‘Christmas Box’ or ‘Sweet Box’, is a trouble-free evergreen shrub celebrated for its glossy box-like leaves and incredibly fragrant winter blooms. Ideal for a front garden border or patio container, it adds a touch of elegance with its fragrance. While it can reach 2m (6'.6") in height, it is easily manageable through pruning and shaping.

Use code: GWSAR23

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