Frosts will be here soon...

• Start planning for the first frosts of the year and move the most precious or the most tender plants to a sheltered spot, or under cover

• Remove any pot saucers and raise outdoor pots up onto feet to prevent waterlogging over winter

• For many of the borderline-hardy perennials, a good, thick (5-10 cm) mulch of garden compost applied over the crown of the plant will protect most plants over most Surrey winters

• For the herbaceous perennials, wait until the first frosts have blackened the top foliage then cut down and mulch

• Shrubby salvias like ‘Hot Lips’ or ‘Nachtvlinder’ should not be pruned back until the Spring as this will encourage new shoots that can then be damaged by frosts

• Gather leaves regularly to prevent them from smothering lawns and small plants and turn them into leaf mould for next year's garden

• November is a great time to be sowing some sweet peas

• It’s also a great time to be planting tulips for a late Spring display

• Tie in wall trained shrubs and climbers to prevent wind damage and lightly prune roses to reduce root damage by wind-rock where top-heavy plants are pulled out the ground by the wind over the winter months

• In the vegetable garden harvest and enjoy root crops and brassicas – a frost on parsnips will help turn more of the starches in the roots into sugars, making them even sweeter

• Add a thick layer of compost as you clear the beds and allow the worms to work their magic over the winter to save you digging!

• Stop watering any succulents or cacti and reduce watering of most houseplants - with the light levels being very low, the plants will not be growing and will not need regular watering

• If you’re buying a Poinsettia, remember that they don’t like draughts, chills, or being overwatered, so be wary of plants positioned near the door of a shop, and once home, give them lots of light during the day and don’t trap them behind a curtain on a cold windowsill overnight or they will drop all their leaves

• Whilst it’s harder to be motivated to get out in the garden when the days are so short and it’s cold and damp, doing a bit of work on the brighter days will pay dividends next year