Jobs to do this weekend

Prune late summer-flowering clematis. To keep your clematis small and to rejuvenate old plants, cut back hard to about a foot off the ground. If you want to keep them taller, just prune last year’s flowered shoots. Clear borders of windblown debris, dig out any leftover annuals and if they are really annoying you, cut herbaceous perennials down to their crowns. Look out for rotting on died-down perennials. Clear alpine beds of debris and cover bare patches with gritty compost. Remove weeds before mulching in spring. Keep containers tidy, cutting back and removing dead leaves. Mulch with grit - it looks good and reduces surface puddling after heavy rain. Watch out for downy mildew and black spot on winter pansies. Remove infected leaves and destroy badly affected plants. Prune Wisteria – cut back sideshoots shortened by summer pruning to two or three buds. Don’t cut off flower buds! Ornamental vines, ivy, Virginia creeper and Boston ivy can be cut back now – keep them away from windows, doors, gutters and roof tiles. Coral spot is often noticed on twigs from deciduous hedges, shrubs and trees, connected with poor ventilation and congested, twiggy growth inside clipped hedges. Cacti need very little water, and no feeding, during winter. Keep them barely moist until spring. If the weather is mild you can lay a new turf or repair an existing lawn. Repair lawn edges with turves cut from other areas.