General Gardening
- Check that greenhouse heaters are working OK
- Prevent ponds and stand pipes from freezing
- Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls)
- Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops
- Trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted
- Reduce watering of houseplants
- Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a slow release fertiliser such as bonemeal.
- Cut back established rose bushes to stop them from snapping in the cold and windy conditions
- Move delicate pots in greenhouses or wrap in bubble wrap to prevent from freezing
- Mow if necessary – but only if the grass isn’t wet or frozen, and keep the blades set high
In the Greenhouse
- Clear greenhouse gutters of autumn leaves
- Line the inside of the greenhouse with bubble-wrap to keep plants warmer.
- Do not over water your plants, only water when the compost is dry
- Check plants regularly for pests and disease i.e. moulds and fungus.
- Ventilate only on warm days
