T his month...

WINTER LIGHT TRAIL Dec Wed-Sun (closed 25-26), dusk-6pm

Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 0JH Follow the illuminated light trail through the Pleasure Gardens. Dogs welcome. Adults £11; NT free l 01296 820414; www.waddesdon.org.uk

FRUIT PRUNING MADE EASY 4 Dec, 10am-3.30pm

Waterperry Gardens, nr Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ

Learn how to prune gooseberries, raspberries, currants, espaliers, cordons and fan trees. Adults £85 l 01844 339254; www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

WILDLIFE GARDENING 6 Dec, 10am-12noon

Victoria Hall, 37 Stafford Road, Sheffield S2 2SF

Discover the practical side of wildlife gardening by helping out at this nature reserve with a wildlife pond, hedges, flower beds and wildflower areas, run by Sheffield Wildlife Trust. Adults free l 0114 2634335; www.wildsheffield.com

WINTER PRUNING WORKSHOP 7 Dec, 10.30am-3.30pm

Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, near Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1SP Enjoy a talk and tour of the orchard with hands-on pruning practice on the apple trees. £30 inc refreshments. Booking essential l 07867 143734; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

CHRISTMAS WREATH-MAKING 7 Dec, 2-4pm and 5-7pm

The South London Botanical Institute, 323 Norwood Road London SE24 9AQS

Two informal workshops to create a botanical wreath. Adults £30 l 020 8674 5787; www.slbi.org.uk

FESTIVE DECORATIONS 14 Dec, 10am-3pm

Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, York YO62 5AH Make festive decorations with Lisa Rennison using spruce leaves, berries and cones. £50 inc materials and buffet lunch l 01439 771427; www. helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk