JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK
It’s time for apple and pear pruning. Cherries and plums shouldn’t be touched during winter as this will leave them vulnerable to silver leaf fungus. Apply greasebands to the trunks to stop overwintering moths climbing up and laying their eggs.
Go foraging in your garden for attractive greenery, berries and branches that can be kept fresh in a bucket of water or sprayed silver, gold or white for Christmas decorations, wreaths and gifts.
With temperatures plummeting, make sure your tender plants are either wrapped up or indoors.
Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbages and sprouts and enjoy home-grown produce on Christmas Day.
Leave faded hydrangea flowers on until spring as they give protection from frost to the buds lower down the stems.
Continue to rake fallen leaves off the lawn and out of the pond and on to the compost heap.