JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK
Take a walk through your garden and see what seeds or berries are available to collect and keep for spring sowings.
Not everything needs to be tidied up – a pile of leaves can make a cosy bed for a hedgehog this winter.
Have you got all your garden furniture indoors or covered up for the winter? In the garage, these can be cleaned or rubbed with oil as necessary or even painted.
Acers and birches which need pruning should be done now to avoid risk of bleeding – their sap rises early so don’t leave it until spring. In general they don’t need any pruning but if there is
a branch that is in an awkward position, or is diseased, now is the time to give it the chop. Vines can be pruned hard, back to two buds of last year’s growth, to encourage fruiting spurs. Retailers are discounting bulbs now so try to grab a few and get them in the ground.