STEP BY STEP

1 MULCH For a li le extra warmth to the roots, mulch the top of the surface of your pots with bark or some compost or gravel. Wrap the rest of the pot in bubble wrap for extra insulation. 2 RAISE During wet periods, or even all winter to be on the safe side, raise containers up with pot feet to keep their bo oms out of the water. More damage is done by winter wet than cold. 3 SHELTER Position your more vulnerable pots together in a huddle to keep in more warmth. Pop them in a corner, in a frost-free greenhouse or up against a hedge or the rain shadow of a wall.

4 REMOVE SAUCERS Often winter wet is more damaging to plants than cold – remove saucers from underneath your pots until spring to avoid a build-up of water and potential ro ing off.